PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

Chicora Research Contribution 514 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

Prepared By: Michael Trinkley, Ph.D. Debi Hacker Nicole Southerland

Prepared For: Department of Mental Health Saint Elizabeths Hospital Cemetery Restoration Project 2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue S.E. Washington, D.C. 20032

CHICORA RESEARCH CONTRIBUTION 514

Chicora Foundation, Inc. PO Box 8664 Columbia, SC 29202 803-787-6910 www.chicora.org

June 15, 2009

This report is printed on permanent paper ∞

© 2009 by Chicora Foundation, Inc. and the District of Columbia Department of Mental Health. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, or transcribed in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without prior permission of Chicora Foundation, Inc. or the District of Columbia Department of Mental Health except for brief quotations used in reviews. Full credit must be given to the authors, publisher, and project sponsor.

MANAGEMENT SUMMARY

The St. Elizabeths East Campus • And they are scenic landscapes – like cemetery is an exceptionally historic resource for parks or open spaces, but requiring far the District of Columbia, and especially for the more focused and specific care. St. Elizabeths hospital grounds. In fact, the cemetery is a portion of the grounds listed on In sum, cemeteries are social, historic, the National Register of Historic Places. This is architectural, and archaeological artifacts. When recognized by the District of Columbia in a there is little else physically remaining of a memorandum of agreement signed by the community’s earliest history, the local cemetery District of Columbia Historic Preservation Office provides a unique tie to the past that would (DCSHPO), and the Advisory Council on otherwise be lost. Historic Preservation (ACHP). The District of Columbia’s Department of Mental Health Therefore cemeteries require very recognizes the importance of the cemetery in the specific consideration and different care from funding for this study. the other types of open sites found in most communities. Cemeteries, however, are very different from virtually all other types of properties that In the case of the St. Elizabeths East the Department of Mental Health or the District Campus cemetery, the cemetery includes both of Columbia administers: military dead from the Civil War and after, as well as what were termed “friendless” patients, • They are sacred sites – consecrated buried by the hospital. The cemetery reflects an within are the remains of loved ones extraordinarily rich history; yet, this history was deserving of the utmost of care and not sufficient to prevent deferred maintenance respect. from taking a significant toll on the cemetery during the last quarter of the twentieth century. • They are artistic sites, such as sculpture gardens or outdoor museums, Over time the cemetery became grown representing permanent collections of up in brambles, briars, honeysuckle, and even three-dimensional artifacts requiring the trees. Monuments were vandalized. The fence same level of care that museums was breached and partially torn down. The provide. Even the sparse East Campus original pathways were lost. The sexton’s Cemetery contains over a thousand cottage was allowed to deteriorate and was government markers. eventually demolished. The road was no longer maintained. Even the stately and beautiful trees • They are archives – storehouses of in the cemetery were ignored to the point that genealogical information, representing several died and others are today compromised. our individual and collective pasts. At As a result of these years of deferred the East Campus Cemetery there may maintenance, a number of issues – many of them be no better record of pre-1917 critical and costly – require the immediate interments. attention of the District of Columbia.

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This study occurs at a time when a The single largest cost is for a National Consumers Memorial is being planned replacement, high security fence. This will help for St. Elizabeths. Its goal is to commemorate the ensure the safety of visitors as well as the thousands of people who died in state preservation of the graves and memorials. It will psychiatric hospitals—many buried in also clearly demarcate the cemetery boundaries unmarked graves just like those at St. Elizabeths. and ensure that those boundaries are not violated. The high security fence is of special We understand that this memorial concern along the north boundary. To the east includes the re-creation of the pathways in the and west a normal industrial fence is sufficient. original cemetery design. It must, of necessity, To the south we recommend consideration be also consider issues such as visitor security, an given to replicating one of the property’s appropriate turf, parking, site interpretation, original wood picket fences. and on-going maintenance. These are all issues – among others – that are addressed in this study. Other Priority One tasks include Our goal is certainly not to “sugar coat” the inspection and pruning of the trees, recordation reality of life at St. Elizabeths. Rather our goal is and mapping of the fence (currently under to ensure that not only is the cemetery itself contract), and completion of the vegetation preserved, but that it represents a respectful clearing. Also included are a variety of memorial to those buried there. administrative or maintenance policy issues that require approval by St. Elizabeths Hospital. This report evaluates the identified needs, classifying them into three broad Second priority issues are estimated to categories: cost about $204,500, although this may be spread out over several years. • Those issues that are so critical – typically reflecting broad administrative The single most costly – and most issues and issues that if delayed will complex – task is to establish a turf in the result in significantly greater costs – that approximately 6 acres of cemetery that are today require immediate attention during the vines and open ground and to overseed and current fiscal or calendar year. improve the turf that exists in the remaining 3 acres. This work will also involve establishing • Those issues that, while significant and either a temporary above grade water supply or, reflecting on-going deterioration and preferably, installing a below grade water line concerns, can be spread over the next 2 along the east-west path with spigots every 200 to 3 years. This allows some budgeting feet. This would allow watering as needed. flexibility, but this flexibility should not be misconstrued as a reason to ignore Another critical task involves the the seriousness of the issues. resetting of approximately 117 stones, replacement of about 76 missing stones, and • Finally, those issues that represent on- repair of at least 10 others. This work is critical going maintenance and preservation to ensure that the military graves are issues. These costs can be spread over appropriately honored. the following three to five years. Like the Second Priority issues, this Associated with the turf is the removal budgetary flexibility should not be of the existing unused asphalt road in the interpreted as allowing these issues to cemetery, as well as the creation of an slide since further delay will only appropriate pre-emergent and post-emergent increase the cost of necessary actions. weed control program, at least for the first three to four years until the turf becomes well The First Priority Issues have a budget established. of approximately $149,000. ii

Shifting away from maintenance, we also recommend additional funding for further historical research. This work could focus on the early history of the cemetery, as well as specific groups. Of special interest are the Native Americans at St. Elizabeths, including some in the cemetery that can be specifically traced to the infamous Hiawatha Insane Asylum in Canton, South Dakota. We recommend that the District seek to have Native American spiritualists come to the cemetery for prayers over these forgotten graves.

The items listed as third priority are those that can be spread over five years – perhaps extending into FY 2013. These issues, however, are no less significant and will have a cost of about $19,000 (not reflecting inflation or continued deterioration; nor does the cost reflect the on-going salaries of the staff needed to maintain the cemetery).

This work includes the creation of a brochure for the cemetery, using the historical information gathered in the second phase of work.

The third priority items include identification and regulatory signage.

While the allocation of at least $372,500 is not inconsequential, it represents a small sum given the extensive work being undertaken at the new St. Elizabeths Hospital or the one million dollars proposed for the National Consumers Memorial. In addition, much of the work necessary at the cemetery is the result of deferred maintenance, with damage accumulating over the cemetery’s 150 year history and especially over the last 30 years. Failure to act will result in the loss of this historic resource.

It is equally critical that the cemetery not be “lost” in the planning process. Long-term care and maintenance are critical for the resource’s survival.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

List of Figures vii

List of Tables viii

Introduction 1 The Project 1 Preservation Fundamentals 2 Setting, and Context 4 Factors Affecting the Landscape Character 8 Recommendations 10

Historic Synopsis 11 The Hospital 11 The West Campus Cemetery 18 The East Campus Cemetery 18 The Burial Ledger 30 Summary 33 Recommendations 34

Access and Pedestrian Issues 35 Access 35 Pedestrian Access 37 Universal Access 39 Drainage 39 Recommendations 41

Lighting and Security Issues 43 Cemetery Lighting 43 Vandalism 43 Hardening Targets 44 Theft 47 Recommendations 48

Landscape Maintenance 49 Introduction 49 Critical Brush Removal Steps 49 Staffing 52 Trees 53 Shrubbery 58 Turfgrass Issues 60 Recommendations 65

v Other Maintenance Issues 67 Signage 67 Military Stones 68 Flowers and Other Grave Decorations 70 Trash 72 The National Consumer Memorial 74 Recommendations 74

Conservation Issues 77 What is Conservation 77 Standard for Conservation Work 77 General Types of Stone Damage 78 Estimated Conservation Needs 81 Cleaning of Monuments 82 Recommendations 82

Recommendations and Funding 85 First Priority Tasks 85 Second Priority Tasks 86 Third Priority Tasks 87 Other Costs 87

Sources Cited 93

Appendix 1. Resume for Michael Trinkley 95

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. St. Elizabeths in Washington, DC 1 2. St. Elizabeths campus 4 3. New forensic hospital facility 5 4. 2008 aerial showing the new construction and its proximity to the cemetery 6 5. The landscape to the south of the cemetery 6 6. The landscape to the north of the cemetery 7 7. USGS Anacostia topographic map showing the East Campus Cemetery 8 8. Palmer drought index for Maryland 8 9. Plant hardiness zones in the vicinity of Washington, DC 9 10. pH levels of rainfall in the District of Columbia 9 11. St. Elizabeths in 1873 14 12. St. Elizabeths in 1903 16 13. East Campus Cemetery in 1873 showing eight sections 18 14. 1890 Plan of Cemetery of Government Hospital for the Insane 19 15. 1892 US Coast and Geodetic Survey District of Columbia showing St. Elizabeths 20 16. Plan drawing of the sexton’s cottage and rear building, 1890 20 17. Cottage at cemetery, 1897 21 18. The sexton’s cottage in the twentieth century 22 19. East Campus Cemetery in 1897 23 20. Close-up of the East Campus Cemetery in 1908 25 21. Last extension of the East Campus Cemetery 26 22. 1937 aerial of the East Campus Cemetery 27 23. 1980 aerial photograph showing the western portion of the East Campus Cemetery 28 24. Changes in the East Campus Cemetery between 1988 and 2008 29 25. Number, type of burials, and date range for use of sections in the East Campus Cemetery 31 26. Access issues 36 27. Suggested brick paving plan 38 28. Cross section of permeable brick pavers 38 29. Drains in the East Campus Cemetery 40 30. Examples of cobra lamps along Robinson Place 43 31. Multiple rows of broken stones 44 32. Problems with the existing cemetery fence 45 33. Examples of wood fencing 46 34. Example of Confederate Cross recovered from the West Campus Cemetery 48 35. Vegetation clearing issues 50 36. Tree canopy cover at the cemetery 53 37. Tree issues in the cemetery 55 38. Improperly removed wind-downed trees 56 39. Shrubbery 59 40. Incompletely removed shrubs or volunteer vegetation 60 41. Turf at the East Campus Cemetery 61 42. Temporary irrigation plan 62 vii 43. Stone damage caused by mowers and trimmers 63 44. Examples of Civil War style government stones at the East Campus Cemetery 71 45. Trash problems in the East Campus Cemetery 73 46. Types of stone repair issues 79

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Preservation 3 2. Native Americans buried in the East Campus Cemetery 32 3. Other ethnicities buried in the East Campus Cemetery 32 4. Prisoners buried in the East Campus Cemetery 33 5. ISA Certified Arborists in the District 58 6. Fertilization recommended for fescue 64 7. Estimated conservation needs 81 8. Comparison of different cleaning techniques 82 9. Prioritization of recommendations 88

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INTRODUCTION

The Project provides mental health evaluations and care to patients committed by the courts. St. Elizabeths is located east of the Anacostia River in southeast Washington St. Elizabeths was long ago divided into (Figure 1). It dates back to 1855 when it was two parts by what is today called Martin Luther created as the Government Hospital for the King, Jr. Avenue, creating the West Campus – Insane. The hospital’s initial mission, according west of this road – and the East Campus – east to its founder, Dorothea Dix, was to provide the of this road. The GSA is currently steward of the "most humane care and enlightened curative West Campus; the East Campus is operated by treatment of the insane of the Army, Navy, and the District of Columbia. District of Columbia." St. Elizabeths was the first and only federal mental facility with a national This current work is on the East scope. Campus, which is operated by the District of Columbia. The East Campus cemetery was created when the West Campus cemetery became full and went through several episodes of expansion. While the West Campus cemetery is older, the East Campus cemetery is far larger and is actually in better overall condition. It also contains a broad range of intriguing historical questions.

In September 2008 Ms. Frances McMillen, a contractor with St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, DC, contacted Chicora Foundation and requested information concerning our ability to provide preservation planning assistance for the East Campus cemetery similar to that we had provided GSA for the West Campus cemetery (Trinkley and Hacker 2007). After providing some basic information, we were contacted by Mr. Richard J. Warsh, Director of Facility Planning for the Figure 1. St. Elizabeths East Campus in Washington, Department of Mental Health in Washington. DC. In 1987 the hospital was transferred by By September 25, we were focused on the federal government to the District to become two specific tasks: conducting an assessment of part of its public mental health system. Today the cemetery that would culminate in a the hospital provides intensive, inpatient care preservation assessment and an initial test to for individuals with serious and persistent determine the usefulness of using a mental illness who need the security and penetrometer to identify the many unmarked structure to assist in their recovery. It also graves present in the cemetery. By early

1 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

November 2008 our proposal was accepted and markers. It may simply be that it is a unique the project was placed under the direction of Dr. representation of a cemetery type rarely seen in Jogues R. Prandoni, Forensic Services at St. a rapidly developing urban setting. Whatever it Elizabeths Hospital. is, those undertaking its care and preservation become the guardians responsible for making Because of both the 2009 presidential certain those elements are protected and inauguration and winter weather conditions, enhanced (whether they are particularly work at the cemetery did not commence until appealing to the caregivers or not). Wednesday, March 11, 2009 and continued in Washington, DC through March 13. The Whatever conservation efforts are investigations were conducted by the authors necessary must be done to the highest and Ms. Nicole Southerland. professional standards; these conservation efforts must be physically and visually Preservation Fundamentals compatible with the original materials; these conservation efforts must not seek to mislead Preservation is not an especially difficult the public into thinking that repairs are original concept to grasp, although the key principles are work; and the conservation efforts must be not always clearly articulated. The fundamental documented for future generations. If the concepts are well presented in the Secretary of caregivers aren’t conservators, it is their the Interior’s Standards for Preservation (see responsibility as the stewards of the property to Table 1). retain a conservator appropriately trained and subscribing to the Code of Ethics and Standards This document reminds us – at least at a of Practice of the American Institute for general level – of what caregivers need to be Conservation (AIC). thinking about as they begin a cemetery preservation plan. Those responsible for the care The Secretary of the Interior reminds of the East Campus cemetery should be those responsible for the resources that each and intimately familiar with the eight critical issues every cemetery has evolved and represents it outlines. different styles and forms. It is the responsibility of caregivers to care for all of these For example, all other factors being modifications and not seek to create a “Disney- equal, a cemetery should be used as a cemetery land” version of the cemetery, tearing out – not to walk dogs or as a playground. And until features that don’t fit into their concept of what the caregivers are able to do what needs to be the cemetery “ought” to look like. done, it is their responsibility to make certain that the site is preserved – it must not be Likewise, caregivers are reminded that allowed to suffer damage under their watch. there will be designs, monuments, and other features that characterize the cemetery – and the Caregivers must work diligently to caregivers are responsible for identifying these understand – and retain – the historic character items and ensuring their preservation. of the cemetery. In other words, they must look Caregivers must be circumspect in any at the cemetery with a new vision and ask modifications, ensuring that they are not themselves, “what gives this cemetery its destroying what they seek to protect. unique, historical character?” Perhaps it is the landscape, the old and stately trees, the large Before acting, those responsible for boxwoods, or the magnificent arborvitae. preservation are required as good and careful Perhaps it is the very large proportion of stewards to explore and evaluate the property, complex monuments, or the exceptional slate determining exactly what level of intervention –

2 INTRODUCTION

Table 1. make certain that no harm Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Preservation comes to the resource while under their care. 1. A property will be used as it was historically, or be given a new use that And again, one of the maximizes the retention of distinctive materials, features, spaces, and spatial easiest ways to comply is relationships. Where a treatment and use have not been identified, a property to make certain that will be protected and, if necessary, stabilized until additional work may be caregivers retain a undertaken. conservator subscribing to 2. The historic character of a property will be retained and preserved. The the ethics and standards of replacement of intact or repairable historic materials or alteration of features, the American Institute for spaces, and spatial relationships that characterize a property will be avoided. Conservation.

3. Each property will be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and use. Work needed to stabilize, consolidate, and conserve existing historic Finally, the materials and features will be physically and visually compatible, identifiable caregivers must also upon close inspection, and properly documented for future research. recognize that the cemetery is not just a 4. Changes to a property that have acquired historic significance in their own right will be retained and preserved. collection of monuments and the associated 5. Distinctive materials, features, finishes, and construction techniques or landscape – the cemetery is examples of craftsmanship that characterize a property will be preserved. also an archaeological resource. They must be 6. The existing condition of historic features will be evaluated to determine the appropriate level of intervention needed. Where the severity of deterioration constantly thinking about requires repair or limited replacement of a distinctive feature, the new material how their efforts – whether will match the old in composition, design, color, and texture. to repair a monument, put in a parking lot, or 7. Chemical or physical treatments, if appropriate, will be undertaken using the gentlest means possible. Treatments that cause damage to historic materials resurface a path – will will not be used. affect the archaeological resources – archaeological 8. Archaeological resources will be protected and preserved in place. If such resources that are the resources must be disturbed, mitigation measures will be undertaken. remains of people buried what level of conservation – what level of tree at the cemetery by their pruning – is actually necessary. And where it is loved ones. necessary to introduce new materials – perhaps a pathway – into the cemetery, they must do These are especially critical issues for their best to make certain these new elements the East Campus cemetery. The campus itself is are not only absolutely necessary, but also a National Historic Landmark and a District of match the old elements in composition, design, Columbia historic district. It is absolutely critical color, and texture. In other words, if the that the Secretary of Interior Standards for cemetery has brick pathways, they would be Preservation be consistently applied. In failing as good stewards if they allowed concrete addition, past modifications at the cemetery pathways – especially if the only justification have taken place with little or no was because concrete was less expensive. documentation, leaving caregivers guessing as to the nature of the work, the reason it was Where conservation treatments are done, how it was conducted, and even who did necessary, the Secretary of the Interior tells the work. Original fabric has deteriorated from stewards that they must be the gentlest possible. lack of care. Even the landscape has been However phrased – less is more – think smart, compromised by development activities on not strong – caregivers have an obligation to surrounding parcels and a lack of careful

3 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

attention to critical management and north of Suitland Parkway is the Elvans Road maintenance issues. Public Housing. The cemetery measures about 1,530 by 260 feet, covering a little more than 9 Our first recommendation, therefore, is acres. that those assuming care for the cemetery become thoroughly familiar with the Secretary Historically, St. Elizabeths was outside of the Interior’s Standards for Preservation and of the District’s business core, overlooking the reaffirm their responsibility as stewards of this Anacostia River and providing a rural setting historical resource to ensure that future that was thought to promote the physical and preservation efforts are consistent with sound mental health of its patients. Over time, the preservation principles and practices. These District’s Ward 8 has grown up around the standards must become “talking-points” for all hospital grounds. future discussions and decisions made concerning the cemetery. To the north are the neighborhoods of Barry Farm and Buena Vista. Barry Farm is a The Setting and Context small inner-city neighborhood. It was originally a farm owned by James Berry in the mid- The cemetery that is studied in this nineteenth century. After the Civil War the project is situated on what is called the East property was acquired by the Freedman’s Campus, at the rear or eastern boundary of the Bureau and was parceled out as settlements for freed slaves. By the 1950s the city had built Suitland Parkway, isolating the community between busy traffic arteries. In 1954 the Redevelopment Land Agency, working on behalf of the District, purchased much of the property and constructed a large, public housing project that is still present. Only a few frame houses, mostly along the fringe of Barry Farm at St. Elizabeths, evidence remnants of the original freedmen community. While possibly the oldest African American neighborhood in Washington, it is today almost entirely

Figure 2. St. Elizabeths Hospital. That portion to the left of Martin occupied by public housing Luther King Blvd. is the West Campus. To the right is East projects and it has a reputation Campus. The cemetery is shown at the eastern corner of the for violent crime, poverty, and property. neglect. In contrast, the homes making up the Buena Vista property (Figure 2). It is at the end of Dogwood neighborhood to the northeast tend to be Drive; to the north, off the St. Elizabeths privately owned by higher-income residents. property is Robinson Place. An apartment The topography is hilly, resulting in narrow and complex just beyond the cemetery has been winding roads. However, these elevations also closed and is waiting redevelopment. To the 4 INTRODUCTION

provide some with expansive views of To the east of St. Elizabeths is Douglass, downtown Washington. named for Frederick Douglass, whose homestead is about a mile north. The To the south of St. Elizabeths is neighborhood is on top of a high ridge, but the Congress Heights. This is a largely residential, area is almost entirely occupied by two public poor inner-city neighborhood. Nevertheless, it housing complexes: Douglass Dwellings and is also the most economically diverse, containing Stanton Dwellings. the largest commercial district in Ward 8, along Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X Avenues. Thus, urban renewal and real estate The neighborhood, consisting of garden speculation aside, St. Elizabeths is today apartments and some older single-family situated in a regrettably poor section of the bungalows, began in the late 1920s when it was District. Historic preservation has been of little concern, as has infrastructure maintenance. Looking at the Ward as a whole, it is predominately African American (92.4%), the poverty rate is 36% (the highest rate of the District), the unemployment rate is 22.5%, and only 21.4% of the homes are owner-occupied (the lowest rate of the District). Educational attainment is the lowest in DC, with about two-thirds having a high school degree, but only 8% with a college diploma.

Surrounding the East Campus cemetery are census tracts 73.4, 74.4, and 74.6. These particular neighborhoods are among the poorest in Ward 8. For example, only 7.1% of the structures are owner occupied in census tract 74.4; less than half have a high school degree and none have a college education. Nearly two-thirds are below the poverty level. The median family income is only $9,353.

Crime statistics for Police Service Figure 3. Construction of the new forensic hospital Area 704 to the north of St. Elizabeths show facility in proximity to the cemetery. that violent crime has increased 1% (184 to established as the end of the Washington 186) and property crime has increased 6% Streetcar line. The area experienced considerable (403 to 426) over the past year. Theft is up by urban neglect for several decades. Recently, a 19%. To the south, in Police Service Area 705, number of developments, valued at over $450 violent crime has increased by 11% (313 to 336), million, have been conducted. Many include St. while property crime is down by 10% (631 to Elizabeths in this neighborhood and see the 571). property as encouraging additional development. Beyond Congress Heights is Access to the East Campus is typically Bellevue, dominated by 1940s detached homes off Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue SE, using and yards. Gate 4, or off Alabama Avenue, using Gate 5. 5 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

immediately to the east (Figure 3 and 4). The old building will be demolished, although the recreation yard wall may be retained.

This will place the cemetery, immediately to the north, in a very different context. Instead of a woods buffer along much of the cemetery’s southern edge, there will be a double security fence and a very modern (albeit attractive) building. This hospital will dominate much of the cemetery landscape with little or no buffer (Figures 4 and 5). Also to the south is a 63 foot tall communication tower for the District of Columbia (FCC Registration No. 1059783) that was constructed in August 1999 (Figure 5).

The situation is no better to the north, where the cemetery is in very close proximity to now abandoned apartment units. The eastern Figure 4. 2008 aerial showing the new construction portion of the cemetery is lower than the and its proximity to the cemetery. Robinson Place road access, so the road and its guardrail looms over the cemetery visitor The Gate 4 entrance leads to Sycamore and (Figure 6). eventually to Dogwood. Gate 5 leads directly to

Dogwood. In both cases visitors continue to To the west is the stream valley John Howard Pavilion, the hospital’s maximum landscape identified in the Saint Elizabeths East security forensic psychiatric facility. Redevelopment Framework Plan (RTKL 2008).

Unfortunately, this area was also historically Significant changes, however, are used for landfill of fly ash debris. As a result, already in progress. The John Howard Pavilion both the topography and vegetation are today is being replaced with a new 450,000 square compromised. foot, state-of-the-art hospital facility being built

When the East Campus was transferred from the federal government to the District, the District of Columbia Historic Preservation Office (DCSHPO), and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). This MOA recognized that the

Figure 5. The landscape to the south of the cemetery is dominated by the transfer would have an new hospital and the DC antennae tower. effect on the historic 6 INTRODUCTION

anticipated development will have significant, and long-term, secondary effects on the cemetery and other historic resources. In the District’s rush to develop St. Elizabeths, there appears to be no clear or consistent concern for the cemetery as not only an integral historic resource, but also the burial location of several thousand St. Elizabeths patients.

The MOA requires the submission of plans to the DCSHPO and ACHP for review and approval prior to implementation. While the developments to

the north were existing at the time, the construction to the south was not and we are at a loss to understand why no effort was made to better buffer the cemetery from the visual intrusion of these features. We hope that the DCSHPO and ACHP will be more proactive in their future efforts to preserve, protect, and enhance the context of the cemetery.

We recommend, minimally, that there be a setback at the west edge of the cemetery, that visual screening be used to eliminate visual intrusion, that steps be Figure 6. To the north of the cemetery are vacant taken to minimize noise intrusion, and that apartments (top) and the elevated Robinson the building height be reduced. Place roadway (bottom). campus – including the cemetery – and outlined Ignoring the existing visual steps for preserving, rehabilitating and retaining distractions and intrusions, the cemetery is its contributing historic, archaeological and dominated by its generally level ridgetop landscape resources. Although some topography, size, and scarcity of markers. consideration of historic resources has been Another feature that stands out is that while provided in the redevelopment plan (RTKL many graves in most sections are unmarked, a 2008), that document ignores the cemetery and very close inspection reveals that the seemingly its long-term preservation needs. In fact, a level terrain is actually undulating, revealing variety of suggested development activities will hundreds of graves – row upon row of nameless have a significant detrimental effect on the burials forming the 9 acre burial grounds. cemetery, including the creation of a road Where there are monuments, most are linking Suitland parkway with Alabama government issued military stones and this, too, Avenue, the concept of infill development establishes the mood of the cemetery. We immediately adjacent to the cemetery, and the suspect that most visitors will be overwhelmed proposal to encourage 6-8 story at the west end by the size and solemn simplicity of the of the cemetery. Moreover, the document cemetery. provides no acknowledgement that the

7 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

physiographic provinces, the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain and the Piedmont Province. The two regions are separated by the Fall Line, which roughly follows Rock Creek from southwest to northeast across the District. St. Elizabeths is entirely found within the Coastal Plain, in spite of the rolling topography. Elevations range from sea level in the southern part of Washington, where the Anacostia and Potomac are tidal estuaries, to 420 feet above mean sea level (AMSL) in Tenleytown to the west of the city.

While the East Campus cemetery gives the overall appearance of being relatively level, it actually exhibits a range in elevations. At the northwestern edge the cemetery

Figure 7. Portion of the USGS Anacostia 7.5’ topographic map is low, about 165 feet AMSL, showing the East Campus cemetery in yellow. Contours quickly rising to about 178 feet are in feet with a 10’ interval. AMSL toward the south. The middle of the cemetery dips to While we may get an impression of the about 169 feet, before again rising toward the cemetery, there are historical aspects that are north end, almost reaching 180 feet AMSL. This more difficult to grasp today. Not only have the is very imperfectly shown on the USGS surrounding settings changed, but the topographic map (Figure 7). cemetery’s landscape was once more vegetated.

There were formal pathways laid out in gravel. The oldest section contained the sexton’s cottage and associated buildings. To some degree the result is a more sterile environment or an appearance of a cemetery that has been abandoned. Although the gradual encroachments of modern buildings cannot be changed, it is possible to soften the appearance of the cemetery.

Factors Affecting the Landscape Character

The District of Columbia covers an area of about 65 square miles on the northeast side of the Potomac River, adjacent to the mouth of the Anacostia River. The District is situated in two Figure 8. Palmer drought index for Maryland. 8 INTRODUCTION

results in a perched seasonal high water table at the depth of the dense layer. The soils would have presented clear difficulties to burial parties, especially during the winter and early spring when the water table would be high.

The Urban Land Complex consists of the area at the western edge of the cemetery and beyond. As previously mentioned, this area was historically used as a landfill for fly ash, as well as possible medical wastes (RTKL 2008:28).

The District of Columbia is characterized by chilly, damp winters and hot, Figure 9. Plant Hardiness Zones in the humid summers. The normal daily mean vicinity of Washington, DC. temperature is 58°F, ranging from 35°F in The geology of the St. Elizabeths area is January to 80°F in July. The average annual dominated by the Potomac Group’s clay and silt relative humidity, however, ranges from 75% in facies, along with River Terrace Deposits. The the morning to 53% in the afternoon.

Precipitation averaged 39.4 inches yearly from 1971 through 2000 and is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year, with an average annual precipitation of about 39 inches. Figure 8, however, reveals considerable potential for drought. While 2002-2004 were generally wet years, the period between 2004 and 2009 show episodes of considerable drought. At the time of this study the District and most of Maryland are in a moderate drought although no water restrictions have been enacted.

The area has an average growing season of about 207 days, Figure 10. pH levels of rainfall in the District of Columbia although this will vary by specific (pH of 7.0 is neutral, 6.9 and lower is acidic). The location, with low areas often levels in the District were lower than 4.3 in 2007. evidencing late frosts. Figure 9 shows that while the District of Columbia is dominant soil in the vicinity of St. Elizabeths is adjacent to Plant Hardiness Zone 7, the District the Beltsville-Urban Land Complex with 0-8% and area of St. Elizabeths is found in Zone 8, slopes. These are gravelly and silty soils that are with average annual minimum temperatures of generally found on hilltops in the Coastal Plain 10 to 20°F. and on old Coastal Plain terraces. A naturally occurring dense layer is found at depths of 2 to This is often classified as an area of 2.5 feet. Because of this dense layer, both Northern or Cool Season turfgrass, although drainage and permeability are slow. This often 9 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

technically it is a transition zone – an area where noise intrusion, and that the proposed neither cool nor warm season species are ideally building height be reduced from the proposed suited. As a result, it is one of the most difficult 6 to 8 stories to no higher than 3 stories. areas in which to manage turf. Much of the cemetery’s character derives from A factor not only affecting the the solitude, simple simplicity, and undulating landscape, but also stone preservation is the topography. These elements have particular level of pollutants. Immediately north of the importance and should be closely guarded. cemetery there are hazardous wastes stored at Johnson JHS; additional wastes are stored further north at Douglass JHS. To the southwest the EPA has identified air emissions at King Amoco and King Texco Chevron. Both air emissions and hazardous waste are identified at

Long Brothers Cleaners, as well as at the hospital site itself. Based on monitoring in

District, the annual mean of NO2 ranges from

0.014 to 0.018 ppm and the annual mean of SO 2 is 0.006 ppm. These levels result in significant levels of acid rain (see Figure 10) and thus the deterioration of marble and many sandstones.

We fear the pollution levels will increase with the proposed construction of a connector road from Suitland parkway to Alabama Avenue.

Recommendations

All decisions regarding modifications, alterations, additions, or other actions affecting the East Campus cemetery should be carefully evaluated against the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Preservation.

The remaining historic fabric and context of the cemetery should be protected. In particular existing intrusive elements should be removed, buffered, or minimized where possible; new intrusive features should be prevented.

The redevelopment plan for the East Campus does not adequately or appropriately consider primary or secondary impacts to the cemetery. We minimally recommend a substantial setback at the west edge of the cemetery, that visual screening be used to eliminate visual intrusion, that steps be taken to minimize 10

HISTORIC CONTEXT

We were not tasked with conducting Plan1 by architect Thomas U. Walter, who is any historical research for this project. As a perhaps better known as the primary architect of result, this section will use largely secondary the U.S. Capitol expansion, begun in 1851. sources in order to construct a context to better understand the East Campus Cemetery. Those Another part of the Kirkbride Plan seeking a more complete understanding of the focused on the grounds, which were intended to hospital should consult McMillen (2008). More be “highly improved and tastefully information concerning the West Campus ornamented,” thereby contributing to the Cemetery may be found in Trinkley and Hacker curative properties. Thus the location, (2007). overlooking the Anacostia and Potomac rivers, providing a panoramic view of the city, was as The Hospital important as the buildings themselves. The situation was described in the October 1860 Initially called the Government Hospital Superintendent’s Report (p. 20): for the Insane, St. Elizabeths was in operation by 1855, largely through the work of Dorothea Dix, A tract of one hundred and a leading health reformer of the period. The ninety-five acres of land, hospital’s mission was to provide, “the most situated on the southeast bank humane care and enlightened curative treatment of the Anacostia river. It is of the insane of the Army, Navy, and the District nearly due south from the of Columbia (U.S. Code, Title 24, Section 161, United States Capitol, and about Establishment). two miles from it in direct line. It is the most prominent part of Based on Dix’s recommendation what has been known ever since President Millard Fillmore appointed Charles H. the settlement of the country as Nichols, MD as the institution’s first the St. Elizabeths tract . . . . it is Superintendent in 1852. Nichols was also perfectly healthy. The site of the assigned the responsibility for selecting the hospital edifice commands a property, as well as overseeing the design of the panoramic view of the entire hospital (National Archives, RG 418, Letters Received and Other Records, 1851-1902). The first structure was Center Building, constructed 1 This refers to a system of asylum design advocated in three phases: west wing, east wing, and the by Philadelphia psychiatrist Thomas Story Kirkbride center administrative section. in the mid-nineteenth century. His requirements were based on the philosophy of “Moral Treatment” – a form of treatment popular at the time based on Typical of the period, the Center humane psychosocial care and moral discipline. The Building was designed according to the typical floor plan consisted of long, rambling wings principles of what was known as the Kirkbride staggered (“en echelon”) so that each connected building would receive sunlight and fresh air. It was thought this design promoted privacy and comfort (Levin 2005). For more information see www.kirkbridebuildings.com. 11 HISTORIC CONTEXT

District, and of an equal extent that the appropriation was entirely too small for of the country in Virginia . . . . the planned hospital). 2 When this tract of land came into the possession of the The first patient was admitted on government, about one-half of January 15, 1855; by mid-March 1855, 51 it, or one hundred acres, were paupers from the District of Columbia, under cultivation. Since that previously housed in Baltimore, were time its productiveness has been transferred (Overholser 1956:4). Meanwhile increased at least fifty per cent., additional construction continued, with the and about twenty acres have erection of an ice house, extension of the stables, been reclaimed from the forest, building of a green house, and the creation of and put under cultivation – two bowling alleys in the basement of the about the same number that Center Building wings (Report of the have been appropriated to the Superintendent of Construction, October 1, site of the buildings, and the 1861). grounds and yards for their immediate accommodation. Almost immediately Nichols proposed the construction of a wall surrounding about 40 The Annual Report of the Board of Visitors for acres of the hospital, to have a foundation 20 Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 1860 (p. 17) expands, inches wide, buried 24 inches deep. The 14-inch noting: thick wall was to be 9 feet high and to be strengthened by “leaning pilasters on both This tract has upon it many fine sides.” A coping of blue flagging was proposed. old forest trees, and several Some progress had been made by 1859, miles of winding carriage roads although the wall (eventually surrounding three have already been laid out and sides of the 190 acre property) was not roughly graded. Where the comple ted until 1869. forest was too dense for a large and handsome growth, the Initially this wall was to be brick and surplus trees have already been bluestone, but the bluestone quarry ceased carefully cut out, and used as operation prior to the completion of the wall, firewood or sawed into lumber. sending Nichols scurrying for alternative Two of the handsomest wards materials. He located a “deposit of coarse, in the hospital have just been silicious conglomerate” in the neighborhood. finished and furnished, one This was quarried by a “party of out-door with cedar and the other with attendants and patients, and hauled by the chestnut which grew upon the hospital teams” (Superintendent’s Report, premises. Novem ber 1, 1866, p. 18).

Other construction activities during this period The hospital also stoned in two springs included the creation of a large wharf, gas- that provided drinking water for the facility. works, and an engine house. Even the bricks were fired on the grounds of the hospital (perhaps in the front of Center Building) in order to reduce the cost (Nichols complained 2 Only $100,000 was provided by the 1852 Civil and Diplomatic Appropriation Act for the purchase of the property, construction, furnishing, and making the hospital ready to receive patients. The St. Elizabeths property cost $27,000 alone. 12 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

Wash water, however, was piped directly from By 1864 a “handsome and convenient the river. public road, bridge, and culverts” had been constructed across the Anacostia, linking the Between 1855 and 1859, 257 patients had hospital with the District. been treated by the Government Hospital for the Insane. In October 1861, however, the United In 1866, Congress passed an act States Congress authorized temporary use of the permitting the hospital to admit all men who unfinished east wing as a 250-bed general had served as Union soldiers and were found hospital for the sick and wounded soldiers of insane within three years of discharge by the Union Army. The West Lodge for African reasons of continuation of mental illness, American insane males was converted into a 60- relapses after recovery, or mental illness relating bed general and quarantine hospital for the to military service. It was found that many of sailors o f the Potomac and Chesapeake fleets. By these veterans were chronically ill, with their 1862, an artificial limb manufacturing shop conditions requiring custodial care. Further (using a process patented by B.W. Jewett) was enlargin g the population at the hospital, set up to fit amputees (located in the West Congress in 1882 directed that the insane at the Lodge Cafeteria). Patients from nearby hospitals National Home of Disabled Volunteer Soldiers were transferred to St. Elizabeths to be fit with be sent to St. Elizabeths. prostheses and soldiers stayed until they learned to use their new limbs. Land east of Nichols Avenue was acquired by the Secretary of the Interior for the During the Civil War a portion of the use of St. Elizabeths by 1869. In 1878 the Board hospital farm (intended not only for curative of Visitors reported that the grounds had grown work, but also to provide essential supplies) was to nearly 400 acres. Figure 11 shows what would converted into a cavalry depot and an become the East Campus in 1878 as largely encampment for a marine company. Tents were cultivated and pasture for the hospital’s cattle, placed on the grounds for convalescent patients although the new East Campus Cemetery had due to overcrowding. What was known as already been developed. “Pencote Battery” was constructed by Commander John A. Dahlgren on the grounds Because of the severe overcrowding the of the hospital, across the Anacostia River from hospital embarked on a significant building the navy yard (Schneller 2004). A fortification program, adding the Dawes wing (1871) and was also constructed on the Shepard Farm Garfield wing (1872) to Center Building. Also (today known as the East Campus). Although added were Atkins Hall (1878), Relief Building the fate of Dahlgren’s Pencote Battery is not (1879) a nd Home Building (1883). This program known, there is a brief reference to the other did little to solve the problem. The Home fortification being leveled in 1875. Remains, Building, intended to house 150 patients, was however, are likely still clearly evident soon occupied by 450. archaeologically. The Civil War patients, by this time It was during the use of the hospital by elderly, severely disabled, and in poor health, Civil War wounded that the name St. Elizabeths were eventually separated from the criminally began. Soldiers were reluctant to write home insane with the construction of Howard Hall in announcing their confinement in the 1887. Between 1898 and 1899, four Allison “Government Hospital for the Insane,” so they Buildings were constructed to care for the Civil began to refer to the hospital using the colonial War veterans. plantation name (Board of Visitors Report, Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 1868, p. 10). 13 HISTORIC CONTEXT

Figure 11. St. Elizabeths in 1873. The West Campus is at the bottom of the map and the first cemetery is shown in red. The East Campus is at the top, with the newer cemetery shown outlined in blue. At this time the East Campus was largely cultivated and was not yet built on (National Archives, Cartographic and Architectural Branch, RG 418, Item 12).

14 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

By 1876 the care of the hospital’s Although publications such as D’Amore patients was being questioned. Although (1976) paint a very complimentary picture of Dr. Nichols was exonerated, he resigned the White, the hospital was investigated a second following year (House of Representatives Report time in 1906 (Report of the Special Committee on 793, 44th Congress, 1st Session). The new Investigation of the Government Hospital for the superintendent was William W. Godding whose Insane with Hearings May 4 – December 13, 1906 fiscal attitude toward patient care was perhaps and Digest of the Testimony, House of best portrayed by the quote, “omit nothing Representatives, 59th Congress, 2nd Session). A essential to the proper care of the patient but . . . third investigation took place only a few years avoid unnecessary expenditures.” He died later in 1911 when 40 people complained of the suddenly in 1899 and was succeeded by Dr. cruelty observed in the institution, with 26 of Alonzo B. Richardson. Richardson himself died those lodging complaints being attendants. In four years later and was replaced by Dr. William spite of the vast acreage to supply fresh meat, A. White. milk, and produce, Dr. Isaac N. Kelly, who inspected the food provided patients, described By 1900 landscape architect Frederick it as “the worst I ever saw in my life,” noting Law Olmsted, Jr. was consulted on the proposed that “the beans were so hard you could hardly addition of the East Campus. He noted that at crush them with your teeth.” After each present the grounds were “much cluttered and investigation the hospital was warned and confused in arrangement (Library of Congress, promises were made, but there seems to have letter quoted in Maggioncalda 2004). A formal been little overall improvement. report in 1901 was blunt, noting that buildings “have been huddled about in the vicinity of the In 1916 the name of the institution was great main building [Center Building] with no officially changed to St. Elizabeths and by the regard for agreeable or even orderly appearance middle of the twentieth century there were 7,000 and what is far more important, without proper patients and 4,000 employees operating out of regard for the various uses to which the 100 buildings spread between what had become buildings are put and the interference of these the east and west campuses. uses with each other.” The appearance was one of “confusion,” the design called “bold and Dr. White endured yet a third uncompromising.” Olmsted recommended that investigation in 1927. Again there was ample some of the minor buildings be removed, and evidence of mistreatment, poor food, and that pathways and plantings simplified. But mismanagement (McCarl 1927). By this time the most of all he warned that future buildings West Campus was 190 acres and was separated should take heed of the problems. from the East Campus by Nichols Avenue and its street car line. There was already a Olmsted warned that buildings near connecting tunnel under the street, the brick Nichols Avenue should be avoided: “the sight of wall on the west side of the street, and an iron patients at their windows, their sometimes fence on the east. unseemly conduct, and the noises which they often make, [would] be a serious annoyance to In 1948 the last of the institution’s cattle the public.” He goes on to note that the land east were sold off. This likely marks the end of of the avenue is too distant and barren, efforts to supply the hospital using local suggesting instead the purchase of additional produce and livestock. There was yet another land on the west side of the avenue (Library of investigation of conditions at the hospital in the Congress, letter reproduced in Maggioncalda mid-1960s. 2004).

15 HISTORIC CONTEXT

Campus, as well as the expansion of the East as the expansion as well Campus, the expansion of the hospital onto the East the onto of the hospital the expansion Campus Cemetery (outlined in blue; the West Campus Cemetery is shown in red). in red). shown is Cemetery Campus West the in blue; (outlined Campus Cemetery Figure 12. St. Elizabeths in 1908, showing in 1908, showing Elizabeths 12. St. Figure

16 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

In 1987 the federal government site had been previously listed on the National transferred St. Elizabeths’ 118-acre East Campus Register in 1979. 3 to the District of Columbia. The West Campus remained federal property under the auspices of In 2001 the Department of Health and the Department of Health and Human Services Human Services notified the General Services (HHS), although the District was given Administration (GSA) that the Department no permission to use the buildings on the West longer needed any of the 176 acres or 61 Campus in return for being responsible for buildings on the West Campus, formally the protection and maintenance of the entire site triggering the federal excess property and grounds. The DC Department of Mental disposition process (Garrison 2003; General Health took charge of the site. Accounting Office 2001). In 2002 St. Elizabeths was placed on the National Trust’s 11 Most This arrangement, however, was far Endangered Places list. The Trust has criticized from amiable. The District alleged that the “GSA’s $900 million investment plan for the buildings were in substandard condition and the West Campus of the hospital without the benefit federal funds provided at the time of the of a master plan, as required by Congress” and transfer for renovation were insufficient. The contends that the construction schedule District sued the federal government to recover proposed would not only require demolition of additional funds and this case has yet to be historic buildings, but also focuses on a decided. "maximum build-out" plan rather than what the Trust considers to be a more appropriate When the property was transferred to preservation and campus planning approach the District, Congress required the city to (http://www.nationaltrust.org/11Most/list.asp develop a plan for the entire 356-acre site for ?i=49). submission to Congress. This was done several years later by the District, proposing continued St. Elizabeths, plagued by at least four institutional use for the entire site. They previous investigations, was again investigated stipulated, however, that given the cost of in 2005 by the Civil Rights Division pursuant to bringing the buildings up to current standards, the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act. the District would accept the West Campus only That investigation found that St. Elizabeths if funds were provided along with the transfer. failed “to provide its patients adequate: 1) Congress took no action and in 2006 the District protection from harm; 2) psychiatric and completed a proposal for more than 2 million psychological care and treatment; 3) medical square feet of office buildings, commercial and nursing care and treatment; and 4) development, and high-end apartments – discharge planning and placement in the most essentially destroying the historic grounds and integrated setting” (May 23, 2006 letter from converting the property into a “ripe Wan J. Kim, Esq., Assistant Attorney General, development opportunity” (“District Completed U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division Plan for St. Elizabeths,” Washington Post, to The Honorable Anthony A. Williams, Mayor, November 6, 2006, pg. D3). District of Columbia).

Meanwhile, in 1991 the U.S. Department of Interior responded to concerns of local preservationists and designated St. Elizabeths as a National Historic Landmark, the highest 3 This process began in 1972 and focused on the historic status available under federal law. The Center building and what was called the “Civil War Cemetery” on the West Campus (letter from A.R. Stirni to J.E. Critz, dated May 9, 1973, in Maggioncalda 2004). 17 HISTORIC CONTEXT

The West Campus Cemetery The last burial at the West Campus Cemetery is reported as 1873, although Sluby We have previously provided a (2004:8-4) reports that inexplicably at least two historical synopsis of the West Campus Cemetery (Trinkley and Hacker 2007), noting that the first burial was of Mrs. Sarah Fontain, a pauper at the hospital, who died on January 26, 1856. Nichols remarked that he was surveying a “small secluded plot of ground” for the hospital’s cemetery. He also indicated that the burials at the cemetery would be “designated by a numbered head board, which number will be entered in the record of the case, so that the place of burial can be at any time identified” (National Archives, RG 418, Letters Received and Other Records, 1851- 1902). Figure 13. East Campus Cemetery in 1873, showing eight sections. In retrospect we know that additional burials were made in the West Nichols’ promise to mark and record burials Campus Cemetery: Private James Clary, who was hollow. Today it is impossible to know who died May 20, 1874, and Samuel J. Farrar, a is buried in the West Campus Cemetery, much civilian buried about January 5, 1891. less where their body lies. Insufficient research has been conducted to allow any speculation on why these burials were Regardless, the cemetery was made in the West Campus Cemetery, if they apparently filled by 1873 – creating the need for were in fact made there. the “new cemetery” at the edge of the eastern campus. Sluby (2004:4-12) suggests that by 1873 While the earliest detailed drawing of there were about 600 graves in the western the new, East Campus Cemetery dates to 1890, cemetery. Assuming again 48 square feet, this the 1873 plan of the hospital already shows the would require nearly 0.7 acre – very close to the cemetery and its pathways laid out (Figures 11 0.76 acre cemetery shown in the 1868 plat. and 13).

The East Campus Cemetery This 1873 plan reveals that the initial

cemetery consisted of eight sections divided by The only published history of the East defined roads and a central circle with a Campus Cemetery is Sluby (2004) and that work structure in the middle. The northern four leaves unaddressed many questions. It does not, sections were twice as large as the southern four for example, provide any evidence of when the and were used for military burials. This new cemetery was laid out, who developed the indicates that, at the time of the cemetery’s design, or why the particular area at the corner development, the hospital anticipated far more of the property was chosen. military deaths than civilian.

18 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

. ment Hospital for the Insane ment Hospital Plan of Cemetery of Govern Plan of Cemetery Figure 14. 1890

19 HISTORIC CONTEXT

cemetery (Figure 14). We believe, however, that the enlargement came in phases.

The 1892 District of Columbia topographic map shows the outline of the cemetery, revealing that the cemetery present in 1873 had been expanded to the south, adding an additional four sections. Two of these were used for additional military graves, while the remaining two were used for civilian graves. This suggests that within 20 years the original cemetery had already been filled, necessitating the first of several expansions. This work would have removed the brick wall, perhaps replacing it with the hospital’s Figure 15. 1892 US Coast and Geodetic Survey District of ubiquities picket fences. The map also Columbia topographic map, sheet 60 showing the St. shows that the cemetery had been Elizabeths East Campus Cemetery and sexton’s planted with trees in a rectilinear grid cottage. fashion. The plan is also useful for other landscape details it provides. The hospital grounds were surrounded by a picket fence, likely constructed by the St. Elizabeths carpentry shop and shown in a variety of period photographs. The cemetery, however, was marked by a brick wall on its western and southern sides, clearly defining the burial grounds and separating it from the remainder of the agricultural property surrounding it.

Two roads lead to the cemetery, each merging at the graveyard’s southwestern corner and running diagonally through the section to join with the road running down the center of the property, separating the military and civilian burials. Graves within the plots were laid out north-south (or more precisely northeast- southwest). This suggests that the designers were more concerned with space allocation then with maintaining the east-west tradition associated with burials of the period. Figure 16. Plan drawing of the By January 4, 1890 the hospital had sexton’s cottage and rear produced a far more detailed plan of the building, 1890.

20 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

. View is taken looking to the north (NARA 418-G-82). 418-G-82). (NARA north the to looking taken is View . Cottage at Cemetery, 1897 at Cemetery, Cottage

17. Figure

21 HISTORIC CONTEXT

Figure 18. The sexton’s cottage in the twentieth century. Upper left shows the cottage ca. 1969 looking to the northeast. Note that the roof is now metal and the chimneys have been reworked. Otherwise the house, while vacant, appears in good condition and the yard appears to still be maintained. The utility building, if still present, is hidden. In the background is Johnson Middle School under construction. Upper right photo shows the house in 1972 looking to the south. Note balloon framing and extensive salvage of siding. Lower left photo shows the house in 1972 looking to the northwest. The porch is gone and considerable cladding has been removed. Lower right photo shows a close-up of fire damage and extensive interior gutting. Note the built-in stud bracing (upper left, NARA; others, Blackburn Laboratory, courtesy of Suryabala Kanhouwa). Thus, the 1890 plan was probably just cemetery sexton (Figure 16). This house was that – a plan of proposed additions. What was illustrated in an 1897 photograph (Figure 17) already in place is more likely shown by the that provides important details concerning its 1892 map. construction and the surrounding cemetery. Additional photos of this cottage were taken in By at least 1892 and perhaps by 1890, ca. 1969 and in 1972 (Figure 18). the hospital had constructed a cottage for a 22 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

Figure 19. East Campus Cemetery in 1897, view to the west-northwest (NARA 418-G-81). These photos provide a wealth of Although Sluby (2004:4-31) suggests architectural details concerning the sexton’s that the structure was never used by the sexton, house. One interesting aspect is the detailing this is clearly incorrect. The photographs show a that was present on the structure. The structure that is occupied in the late nineteenth foundation was common bond with sixth course century. While Sluby was unable to find payroll headers and decorative iron vents. The cladding records, we have identified the sexton in the is a beaded ship lath. There are decorative 1900 through 1930 census records. braces under the gable. The 2/2 windows exhibit cornice detailing. The porch reveals lace- In 1900 the sexton, identified as “in like brackets. The two interior chimneys each charge of cemetery” was John Boyle. He was a have double clay chimney pots. Although the 60 year old Irishman, married to Catherine, 51, structure appears utilitarian, there are enough from England. They had two children, and 18 Victorian details to suggest that the structure year old son, Francis, and a 15 year old was intended to add dignity to the cemetery. Its daughter, Theresa. In the 1880 census Boyle and loss is much regretted. his wife were living on F Street, NE in the city and his occupation was listed as laborer. In 1910 Further details are provided by the plan he was identified as the Cemetery drawings of the structure at the National Superintendent and his household consisted Archives. A particularly significant detail is that only of his wife and daughter. St. Elizabeths had the structure included a cellar, located under the a new caregiver by 1920, when the census kitchen and hallway, measuring about 18 by 20 identifies the 38 year old Maryland resident, feet. This cellar may contain very significant William Carter, as the sexton. The 1930 census archaeological deposits. identifies him as William Cator.

23 HISTORIC CONTEXT

Sluby (2004:4-31, 4-32) also contends and the second row runs from 12 to 15. The that the structure was moved to its West third and fourth rows are the same, including Campus location from the East Campus. The Sections 20-27. The numbering within the validity of this comment is impossible to assess sections begins again with 1, although here the since no citation is offered in support. The numbering is sequential from the southwest structure appears in pristine condition in the corner eastward up to 117. Grave number 118 is 1897 photographs, but clearly additional immediately north of grave 1 and so forth. research is necessary to resolve this issue. Thus, identification requires both a Returning to the 1890 cemetery plan, the section and grave number in order to locate a document provides a range of valuable burial. information. Dimensions on the plan show the cemetery measured 264 feet in width (north- Another clue to the appearance of the south). The addition to the west measured 1,032 cemetery at the end of the nineteenth century is feet 6 inches in length. In this new section the provided by a photograph shown as Figure 19. central east-west road was 12 feet in width, as This is of particular importance to us since it was the central north-south road that formed the reveals a cemetery that is well maintained. The circle. The other dividing roads were 6 feet in grass, while rough, is trimmed. We see a variety width, with the exterior boundary roads being 9 of relatively young cedars, as well as both newly feet in width. We believe that the eastern section planted and established deciduous trees – much was essentially the same. more landscaping than is present today. In the background we see the picket fences that were By 1890 the designers had also devised a used extensively at St. Elizabeths. The property rather complex numbering scheme. The eastern boundary fence, at the far right of the half of the cemetery (or oldest portion) was photograph, appears to be a board fence about 5 divided into 11 sections, numbered from the feet in height, although it may be picket. northeast to the southwest with the numbering of each row beginning at the eastern edge and We also are given a hint that, even at running west. this early date, the order in the cemetery may be deceptive. For example, we see a mix of both Within these sections the numbering thinner stones, representing older monuments, was no less complex. Odd numbers are found and the newer, standardized government in Sections 1-3, with 1 beginning in the northeast stones. While this is to be expected, we see one corner of Section 1 and the numbers running new stone among older stones. Is this a from the east to the west, then returning to the replacement for a damaged stone? Or does it east side for the next row of numbered graves. indicate that stones were simply being set with Even numbers are found in Sections 4-11, with 2 no particular association with the individual beginning in the southeast corner of Section 8 buried? This was certainly a practice revealed by and the numbers again running from the east to our study of the West Campus Cemetery the west, then returning to the east side for the (Trinkley and Hacker 2007). next row. Thus, odd numbers progress from north to south, while even numbers progress We note also that the stone numbers, from south to north. while in sequence, do not correspond to the placement indicated by the map of the cemetery In the addition, to the west of the (see Figure 14). For example, we see 179, 181, sexton’s house the section numbers begin in the 183, 185 and behind them in the next row, 357, southwest corner at 12 and run east to 15. 359, 361, and 363. The association between these Section 16 is then found just north of Section 12 two rows, however, is wrong. Stones 179, 181, 24 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

and 183 are at the end of the section – not in the We also see in the background a variety middle as shown in the photograph. The 357-363 of plain sticks. Do these mark graves awaiting stones are likewise at the end of the section, not burials or burials awaiting stones? in the middle. Finally, beyond the sexton’s cottage, in We are left with stones that appear to be the vicinity of what would be Section 15, we see placed in numerical order, although that order government stones – indicating that at least this does not conform to the expected placement as section had been prepared and opened for burial shown by the 1890 cemetery plan. by 1897.

In 1906 Dr. William White, then Superintendent, testified during a Congressional hearing that no account of the cost of burials was maintained. He explained that some “old soldiers” were buried in Arlington, “if there are sufficient funds,” while the others were buried in the hospital’s burying ground and “the quartermaster’s department of the army furnishes a headstone”

Figure 20. Close-up of the 1908 Plot of the Property of the (Anonymous 1907:923). Government Hospital for the Insane showing the East Campus Cemetery. With specific reference to the new cemetery on the East Campus, Dr. Hay testified that both military and civilian It is also useful to look at the distance burials were made in “a very plain pine box” from the first row northeast to the boundary that he believed was stained and varnished fence. It appears to be at least 20 feet. Today, (Anonymous 1907:1191, 1197-1198). By this time, however, the distance from the first row of however, at least the military burials received a stones to the boundary fence is mere feet, raising service – “the Episcopal service over the dead” the question of whether the stones have been read by a staff member (Anonymous 1907:1198). moved or if the boundary of St. Elizabeths has shrunk. The next plan we have is the 1908 Plot of the Property of the Government Hospital for the The photograph also reveals an iron Insane (Figure 20). This shows the cemetery as it Confederate cross – identical to those used in the appears on the 1890 plan. We know, based on West Campus Cemetery and identified by our the 1897 photograph (Figure 19) that the new investigations at that cemetery (Trinkley and western section had been prepared and opened Hacker 2007). While there is one Confederate for burials, so it is likely that this drawing dead intermingled with the Union dead, in the doesn’t simply indicate a planned burial distance, at the south edge of the cemetery, ground, it shows what was actually present. adjacent to the road, we see at least five Confederate crosses, suggesting that the policy The contours also reveal that the at some point was changed and the Confederate cemetery had to contend with several areas that dead were buried in a location distinct from the were in depressions, representing the heads of Union troops. gullies. In particular Sections 7 and 11 may have posed some drainage problems for the burial details, especially in the winter. Likewise, a 25 HISTORIC CONTEXT

Figure 21. Last extension of the East Campus Cemetery. Cemetery. Campus East the of extension Last 21. Figure

26 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

reservation and are separated by a road leading from the hospital grounds [East Campus Cemetery]. The other, which is filled and not used, is located near the railroad tract in the vicinity of the pumping station [West Campus Cemetery].

A cemetery sexton, which is commissioned a special officer on the Metropolitan police force, lives near the cemetery grounds and acts as a watchman. He superintends the burial of all bodies and keeps complete records of same. Necessary laborers are detailed to the cemetery to assist in the work . . . .

There are approximately 4,000 bodies buried in the three cemeteries, of which approximately 2,000 are military. The graves of former soldiers, sailors, and marines are marked with a marble stone furnished by the War and Navy Departments. Other graves are Figure 22. 1937 aerial of the East Campus Cemetery. not marked, but a complete small gully is shown for Section 13. The record of each grave is kept in topography may also explain why the area in the office by means of maps and front of the sexton’s cottage was laid aside as diagrams which show the “Grass Plat” (not, as erroneously reported in number of each grave, location, Sulby 2002:4-30, “Play Grass.”). and the name of the person buried therein (McCarl The next Congressional investigation 1927:113-114). provided additional details, with the synopsis noting that, This last reference to maps and numbered graves applies only to the East There are three cemeteries in Campus Cemetery. No historic map has been different parts of the hospital found that illustrates any of the graves in the grounds where patients are West Campus Cemetery and there is apparently buried when their families do no log of burials. Going back to Nichols’ early not request burial elsewhere. commentary on burial practices, it appears that Two of these are located in the the only record was in the patient’s file. This southeastern corner of the 27 HISTORIC CONTEXT

synopsis, however, confirms that civilian burials cemetery had begun. We have not identified this were in no way marked by the hospital. plan, although we do have a more recent version, identified as Extension to Cemetery, We also learn from the document that drawn by J.P. Chirieleison and dated October 1, while soldiers, by this time, were being buried 1965 (Figure 21). in metal coffins, others (presumably civilians) were “provid[ed] burial in a pine box” (McCarl The plan is nearly identical to that 1927:27). The budget analysis also reveals that already in existence, although the roadways and walkways are different dimensions. The main north-south and east-west roads meeting to form the central circle are 19 feet 1 inch. Other north-south walkways between sections are 6 feet 2 inches, while the east-west walkways are 9 feet 1 inch. Each section measured 117 feet 10 inches east-west and 52 feet 11 inches north-south.

Sections were numbered 28 through 43, with Section 28 found in the southeast corner. Numbering ran south to north and west to east.

For reasons that are entirely unclear, numbering once again began with 1, with the letter A used as a suffix. Section 28 therefore included graves 1A through 145A, with the numbers beginning in the southeast corner and running east to west and south to north. Rows within each section were numbered from south to north (1-5).

Figure 23. 1980 aerial photograph showing the western The first aerial view of the portion of the East Campus Cemetery. cemetery we have identified is an the hospital was being provided small refunds oblique view dated 1937 (Figure 22). It on the cost of coffins: in 1922, $9.62; in 1923, shows the eastern two sections with mature $18.81; in 1924, $3.38; and in 1926, $2.75. The trees providing far more coverage than is found costs are modest and it is unclear if these were today. The sexton’s cottage is clearly seen and for the pine boxes. some of the military stones in section 18 are visible among the trees. The final extension is The cemetery shown in the 1890 shown completely open, with the central circle drawing and 1908 map was close to being filled and the east-west road defined up to the circle. by the 1930s and presumably additional The portion laid out appears to include sections planning began for yet another addition. Sluby 28-35, although the only two sections used by (2004:4-29) identifies a plan with numbered this time would have been sections 28 and 29. graves which he dates to 1945 – well after the 28 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

Figure 24. Changes at the East Campus Cemetery between 1988 and 2008. Upper left shows the cemetery in 1988. Upper right shows the area in 2002. Lower left shows encroaching vegetation in 2005. The lower right photo shows the condition and thick underbrush by 2008. Between 1937 and the early 1980s we the mid- to late-twentieth century the idealized have very little information concerning the plan for the cemetery was not fully realized. The cemetery. A 1980 oblique aerial (Figure 23) field northwest of the cemetery, clearly shown shows only the middle and western-most in the 1937 aerial is in woods by 1980. sections of the cemetery. It appears that trees are already becoming thinned out in sections 20-27, Three photographs are available from although the east-west road has been planted 1982; each focusing primarily on various into the western extension. The central road military sections of the cemetery. As late as 1982, west of the circle does not appear to have ever at least based on these images, maintenance was been developed and the road to the north of the still relatively careful and there appears to be circle is only poorly established. It appears by little obvious damage to the cemetery. 29 HISTORIC CONTEXT

A brief note indicates that in October occasion when the burial party was jumping up 1968 there were at least three markers that may and down on the high end of the coffin, forcing no longer be present. These include two markers it deeper into the hole. Many burials were, as a “with the inscriptions in German – one was result, relatively shallow. dated 1918” and a marker for “Baby Joe” who was three years old at burial (Sluby 2002:4-25). The lack of respect and basic human dignity observed conflicts with Sluby’s (2002:4- Figure 24 shows a series of four aerial 37) claim that burials were “respectfully photos that allow the condition of the cemetery conducted.” to be traced through time. The images reveal that while the landscape trees gradually decline The Burial Ledger in number, thick underbrush begins to overwhelm the western portions of the cemetery It may be that a burial ledger for the beginning by 2005. East Campus Cemetery was maintained from its inception, but the earliest identified record dates The last burial in the cemetery occurred from 1914. Although St. Elizabeths today has a in 1983. After 1983 it appears that bodies not photocopy, Sluby (2008:3) reports that the claimed by family members are turned over to original ledger was “salvaged several years ago the District of Columbia. The website for the from materials being destroyed during district’s Chief Medical Examiner notes that renovation activity at the hospital” and is today unclaimed bodies are retained for 30 days before held by Michael G. Rhode. Mr. Rhode is “disposition.” It is unclear why the hospital apparently the Chief Archivist at the National chose to stop using the cemetery – this is Museum of Health and Medicine at Walter another area deserving of additional research. Reed, but the item is not in the museum’s collection, but rather his personal collection. We are fortunate to have been able to Sluby reports that a copy is available at the interview an individual with firsthand Washingtonia Room at the District of Columbia knowledge of burial practices in the 1970s and Public Library, although we could not identify it early 1980s. While not a member of the grounds in the institution’s on-line catalog. crew that formed the burial detail, he was present for the maintenance of equipment. The Figure 25 uses data from Chicora’s field individual reports that the coffins were plain inspection, as well as the burial ledger to wood boxes. There were no markings on the graphically illustrate how the different sections boxes, leading the burial parties to be uncertain were used over time, as well as the number of of the top or bottom, much less the head or foot. burials in each of the sections and the date range There were also times, with multiple coffins, for each section. that the crew was uncertain who was in a particular coffin – suggesting that the accuracy A variety of factors were taken into of the burial ledger may be suspect. account by those using the cemetery. Certainly one factor had to do with the inherent There were no burial services and no limitations of the soils and drainage. It is likely chaplain was present. The burials were that there were some sections that were not conducted without ceremony. The equipment favorable for burial during certain seasons – used to excavate the graves was old and often necessitating the use of out of sequence areas. had difficulty in the heavy, rocky soil. As a Another factor is the design of the cemetery and result many graves were undersized, resulting the immediate needs. For example, the addition in coffins being placed in the grave at an angle. of sections 8-11 was the result of the initial In fact, the informant recalls more than one design so quickly running out of space. 30 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

Figure 25. Number, type of burials, and date range of use for sections in the East Campus Cemetery.

no longer put the title at the top and no The burial ledger provides a variety of information is recorded. The cause of death information, although there is little internal column is completely removed in 1970 (p. 203). consistency. Between 1914 and 1930 (pp. 1-47) the ledger includes the name, patient number, It is also important to point out that the death date, interred date, grave, section, and burial ledger is not in strict chronological order. row. In 1930 we see the first change, with the For example, burials alternate between July- data running across two pages (pp. 49-51) and December 1917 and January 1918, then burials providing name, male (white or colored), female are entered for July-October 1917, then January (white or colored), date of death, date of burial, 1917, and then November-December 1917. It number of section, row, and grave. In 1931 the appears that the individual entering the organization again changes. In 1931 and 1932 information may have been transcribing the data (pp. 53-57) the information included date of off some form or other slips of paper that were death, name, hospital case number, male (white not always provided in chronological order. or colored), female (white or colored), total burials, age, cause of death, date of burial, The document is also missing 10 pages section, row and grave, and burial permit (pp. 43, 45, 47, 51, 75, 93, 99, 101, 147, 149), number. although there are no missing burials. It appears that the journal pages were simply In 1933 (pp. 59-175) the information misnumbered. format again changes. Although the same information is collected and presented, the order Careful analysis of the ledger also is changed. reveals that there are nine unused graves. Five of these are identified as not used because of a In 1938 a column is added for the tree (21-4-1491, August 1933; 15-2-219, number of relatives and individuals present at December 1940; 3-1-1892, July 1947; 3-1-1896, the burial (p. 85), but this information is September 1949; 3-1-1897, September 1949). One provided for only that one year. By 1959 (p. 177) grave was skipped in the listings (41-4-1939), the cause of death column, while still present, is and therefore is not on the map. rarely completed. By 1963 the column is still present, but the individuals keeping the ledger 31 HISTORIC CONTEXT

Table 2. institution were there only because they were Native Americans Buried in the East Campus traditional spiritual people or because they were Cemetery disliked by the local Indian Agents. The Canton facility warehoused these individuals, many of Ledger whom were clearly not mentally ill, under the Page Name Date of Burial Grave most inhumane conditions imaginable. There is 63 ?, Charlie 3/30/1934 28-5-126A also a cemetery at Hiawatha with 121 burials. As 141 Amer (Armond), Adoe 2/14/1950 37-1-1282A 83 Bear, Frank 1/20/1938 15-3-321 at St. Elizabeths, none of the graves were ever 111 Benally, Priscilla 12/15/1942 31-2-476A marked. 83 Canoe, Kate 5/10/1938 21-5-1184 139 Creeping, Charles 10/26/1949 36-5-1269A 71 Ensign, Meda 10/17/1935 21-4-1270 The Hiawatha facility was closed in 67 Fair Banks, Richard 3/15/1935 29-1-146A December 1933. Some of the patients were sent 79 Fair Fox, Florence 6/2/1937 21-5-1171 home, others were sent to St. Elizabeths 85 Jackson, Robert 1/6/1939 15-4-448 79 Kalomuhesku, Edith 1/12/1937 21-5-1165 (http://sdgenweb.com/lincoln/hiawatha.htm; 65 LaComte, Charles 2/7/1935 29-1-150A see also Yellow Bird 2002). At least 10 of the 145 McCarter, Watt 2/6/1951 37-2-1320A Native Americans identified in the St. Elizabeths 175 Miletech, Rado 1/3/1959 40-1-1694A 115 Nesba 9/2/1943 31-1-459A East Campus Cemetery were originally from 85 Rising Fire, Bessie 7/5/1938 31-5-379A Hiawatha based on research by Ms. Frances 73 Short Woman, Sarah 2/26/1936 21-4-1279 McMillen (personal communication 2009). 95 Strikes on Gap 6/26/1940 32-1-589A 65 Tsinnijinnie, Mabel 10/10/1934 21-3-1372 71 Vigil, Fidel 7/11/1935 29-2-185A Although Sluby (2008:4) lists 19 Indians, 123 White, Samuel 11/9/1945 33-5-840A six of these are listed incorrectly and an 73 Yazzie, Hosper or Hospu 3/16/1936 29-3-222A additional four are entirely omitted. Table 2 The ledger gives no explanation why provides a corrected list of the Native American the remaining three graves (20-2-1472, 19-3-917, burials. To this list McMillen has been able to and 33-2-754A) were not used, although the add at least 11 additional names: Madeline presence of trees seems the most likely Dauphinais, Kitty Spicer, Rose Wash or Washa, explanation. Yazza Sonna, Gondosayquay, Ollie Yarlott, Peter Picotte, Joanna Augusta, Joe McEwin, Sluby (2002:4-35, Table 3. 2008:4) comments on the Other Ethnicities Buried in the East Campus Cemetery fact that the burial ledger identified the burials of a Ledger number of Native Page Name Date of Burial Grave Ethnicity Other Americans, typically 109 Abertina, Peter 8/26/1942 31-2-484A Virgin Is. 207 Chinn, Henry 3/30/1973 39-3-1601A Chinese identified as “Indian.” 205 Chong, Chien C. 3/8/1971 39-1-1566A Chinese What is not discussed is 131 Daniel, Antoinette 9/9/1947 30-4-388A Virgin Is. that many of these native 125 Gordon, Mary 1/16/1946 30-5-410A Virgin Is. 115 Hanson, Holbert 12/3/1943 33-2-763A Virgin Is. people at St. Elizabeths 39 Imori, Katsujils 8/15/1929 19-5-1119 Japanese came from the infamous 95 Lin, Yick 8/2/1940 32-1-582A Chinese disinterred 8/15/1940 Hiawatha Insane Asylum 111 Long, May Sun 3/8/1943 32-5-697A Chinese 79 Mun, Tue 2/23/1937 29-4-241A Chinese in Canton, South Dakota. 133 Peterson, Rosalia 4/23/1948 30-3-377A Virgin Is. The institution was begun 125 Sing, Lee 4/30/1946 36-1-1138A Chinese in 1900 and was staffed by 151 Stapleton, Inger 10/19/1951 30-1-296A Virgin Is. 137 Tong, Yee 5/25/1949 36-4-1246A Chinese individuals with little or no 37 Wah, Sang or Sam 5/6/1929 19-5-1107 Chinese training in psychiatry. 151 Williams, Roy 7/20/1951 37-3-1338A Virgin Is. Many of the Native 103 Wilson, Carcia C. 9/15/1941 31-3-51A Canal Zone 27 Wo, Wong 2/19/1926 19-1-673 Chinese Americans at this 32 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

Table 4. Consequently, we recommend that Prisoners Buried in the East Campus Cemetery researchers continue to use the readily available photocopied Ledger original document. Page Name Date of Burial Grave Other 55 Anderson, Sam 8/1/1932 28-3-79A U.S. Prisoner Summary 63 Andrewshak, John 4/9/1934 28-5-122A DC Prisoner 105 Barnes, Charlie 12/17/1941 32-3-645A DC Prisoner 65 Burgess, John 2/7/1935 21-1-149 U.S. Prisoner This review of the East 91 Clark, William 2/13/1940 15-2-217 General Army Prisoner Campus Cemetery, cobbled 115 Dillo, Christos 9/16/1943 33-1-751A DC Prisoner together using readily available 61 Heids, August S. 8/7/1933 28-4-92A US Army Prisoner 167 Ivry, Luis 11/2/1955 3-1-1896 US Army Prisoner secondary sources and a very small 57 Kelty, William E. 12/20/1932 28-3-64A U.S. Prisoner number of primary documents and 57 Mannim, Joe 8/20/1932 28-3-77A U.S. Prisoner maps, provides an incomplete 79 Marriott, J.A. 3/30/1937 29-4-237A U.S. Prisoner 61 Matchett, William H. 10/18/1933 28-5-145A DC Prisoner account of the cemetery and its 85 Menzer, Bert 9/11/1938 15-2-214 General Army Prisoner history. In fact, this review is 17 Messett, Patrick 9/9/1920 23-2-1562 US P[risoner] primarily useful as a tool for 115 Murton, Frank L. 11/17/1943 15-2-222 Army Military Prisoner 115 Newman, B. 10/19/1943 33-2-755A U.S. Prisoner determining additional research 123 O'Connell, John 10/11/1945 15-2-227 Military Prisoner topics. 125 Rhodes, Elzii 2/8/1946 15-2-228 Army Prisoner 59 Rigo, Tony 7/6/1933 28-4-98A US Army Prisoner For example, although we 145 Rook, Peter 12/13/1950 37-2-1313A DC Prisoner 109 Stempen, John 11/11/1942 32-5-718A U.S. Prisoner believe the cemetery began about 41 Wells, Andrew 9/16/1930 28-1-7A Col. DC [Prisoner] 1873, we have little information 133 Wheeler, William 4/2/1948 36-3-1211A Interred Alien concerning that process: how the site was selected, who devised the Mary Westerman, and Oscar Hope. design, or what the intent was in designating

particular sections. In addition to the Native Americans, the burial ledger also lists one Japanese, nine We know little concerning the sexton: Chinese, one individual from the Canal Zone, when was the position established, who held the and seven patients from the Virgin Islands. job, and what were their responsibilities? Nor do These are shown in Table 3. we know why the position was dropped or how

this affected the maintenance of records or The ledger also documents various burials taking place. prisoners held by St. Elizabeths who died and were buried in the East Campus Cemetery. We We have no complete account of the again found considerable variation between the stones requested by St. Elizabeths for the ledger and the list provided by Sluby (2008:4). military burials – which might assist in better The ledger identifies 25 prisoners. Sluby lists 20, interpreting what is seen on the ground. although eight are listed incorrectly and one listed by Sluby has no notation indicating his As near as we can determine, no one has status as a prisoner and another individual searched the patient records for any details listed in his table is not listed in his concerning burials in the East Campus transcription. Table 4 provides a corrected Cemetery. There is certainly very little effort to listing of the prisoners. explore any of the groups that were buried in

the cemetery, such as the Native Americans While it is useful to have a published transferred from the Hiawatha facility. account of the East Campus burial ledger, this brief review suggests that there may be significant inaccuracies in the transcription. 33 HISTORIC CONTEXT

There remain a host of potentially Ultimately, it will be necessary to valuable records at the National Archives conduct a careful transcription of the extant (RG418) that appear to have received only stones in the East Campus Cemetery in order to cursory examination (although we are not begin understanding some of the issues related familiar with the most recent research by to pre-1919 burials and, especially, whether the Frances McMillen [2008]). These include the monuments present in the cemetery can be used Records of the Board of Visitors, including to accurately determine the location of specific minutes and correspondence; and Records of the burials. Office of the Superintendent, including administrative files, records relating to the Thus, while this overview provides an preparation of the annual reports, and reports of initial effort to better understand the cemetery subordinate units. The Records of and its development, there is much additional Superintendent Charles H. Nichols, dating as research that can – and should – be conducted. late as 1877, may include some clues on the selection of the new cemetery and its design. Recommendations The Records of Superintendent William W. Godding include documents concerning We recommend additional historical research maintenance and construction that should be for the East Campus Cemetery following two examined for any information concerning the broad lines of research: examination of sexton’s cottage, as well as the cemetery itself. National Archives RG418 for information The Records of Superintendent William Alanson specific to the development and operation of White cover the period when the cemetery was the cemetery and examination of National being expanded and may provide clues Archives RG92 for information on the stones concerning that process. Also included are requested by St. Elizabeths for their military records concerning the 1906, 1919, and 1926 burials. investigations – these may provide some clues concerning the East Campus Cemetery. Further research should be conducted on the Native American burials at St. Elizabeths. An effort should be made to reach out to the Another line of research involves Native American community and encourage examination of records pertaining to the medicine men and tribal elders to visit the government stones issued to St. Elizabeths to graves – this may include such traditional mark military graves. Invaluable research tools practices as burning sage and tobacco at the are the Card Records of Headstones Provided graves. for Deceased Union Civil War Veterans, ca. 1879-ca. 1903 (RG92, Series 628). There is a For the historical documentation to be separate file of headstone requests after this correlated with the cemetery markers, it is date, although often earlier stones are also critical that the markers themselves be included. Thus, searching these records is not transcribed and verified. This should be a high always easy. It is also unclear how thorough the priority for the cemetery’s overall preservation searches have been of the Quartermaster records efforts. for correspondence regarding gravestone requests from St. Elizabeths. Given the complexity of these files, it seems unlikely that they have been carefully examined, but this can’t be determined given the information provided in Sluby (2002). Thus, additional research in RG98.2 is warranted.

34

ACCESS AND PEDESTRIAN ISSUES

Access While much of the original asphalt road is still clearly visible, a significant portion has Although originally used for farming been fenced into the construction zone of the and maintaining the hospital’s cattle, by 1908 the new St. Elizabeths Hospital. The outer security main east campus complex consisted of I, N, P, fence goes up to the road’s southern edge and R buildings. The main entrance provided (providing the cemetery with no visual or access to an oval drive around the buildings physical buffer from the modern development). and, in the rear, a well maintained road took What does remain of the road to the sexton’s visitors into a gully and across the property’s cottage evidences widespread alligator cracking northwest-southeast flowing drainage and up and, in many areas, complete failure. In many another gully. Eventually the road became a areas grass has broken through the asphalt. The farm road and this lead to the cemetery and poor condition of the road detracts from the sexton’s cottage. Nothing remains of this landscape and the road serves no function. original road except for the small portion still within the cemetery. Although redevelopment of the east campus is being proposed (RTKL 2008), access While the paths in the oldest section of to the reconfigured District facilities, including the cemetery were graveled, at some point the the east campus cemetery, will remain sexton’s road was paved in asphalt, as was the restricted. We understand that the primary road along the southern edge of the two oldest vehicular entrance to the new hospital will be cemetery areas (sections 8-11 and 12-15). These through the existing entry point at Alabama roads, however, are no longer used and have Avenue. An internal roadway will lead to the received no maintenance in perhaps 20 or more hospital facility and connect to the building’s years. main entrance drop off and pick up area.

Today access to the St. Elizabeths east With the demolition of the John Howard campus property is controlled by the District of Forensic Pavilion, access will continue to be at Columbia Department of Mental Health and the western end of the cemetery, although the only authorized visitors are allowed on the precise plans have not yet been developed. grounds. The road network bears no While this moves access from the historic route, resemblance to what was present historically the proximity of the new facility likely provides and the development of the campus makes it little opportunity for modifications at this late difficult to imagine the late nineteenth or early date. twentieth century landscape. In the absence of clear future access Once on the campus today, access to the plans, there are a number of unaddressed cemetery is primarily by way of a dirt road from questions. Among them is balancing the security the rear of the John Howard Forensic Pavilion needs of the hospital with the descendants’ right up a steep slope to a locked chain link fence to access. In addition, with the plans for a gate. This entrance is about 700 feet northwest of National Consumer Memorial at St. Elizabeths the original cemetery entrance. we may expect an increase in public access to the grounds and, especially, at the cemetery

35 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

Figure 26. Access issues. Top left photo shows the dirt road from the existing parking up the slope to the cemetery. Top right photo shows the rear of the John Howard Pavilion with the cemetery to the left. Middle left shows the remnants of the asphalt road at the south edge of the cemetery. Middle right shows the asphalt road leading to the now demolished sexton’s cottage. Lower left photo shows the asphalt road leading to the rear entrance into the cemetery off Robinson Place. Lower right photo shows one of the original ovals in the cemetery, with markers aligned around the open area.

36 ACCESS AND PEDESTRIAN ISSUES

(http://www.uspra.org/i4a/pages/Index.cfm? Pedestrian Access pageID=4050 and the article at http://www.behavioral.net/ME2/dirmod.asp? The proposed redevelopment of the St. sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publication Elizabeths east campus envisions considerable s%3A%3AArticle&mid=64D490AC6A7D4FE1A pedestrian access, with the nearby Congress EB453627F1A4A32&tier=4&id=7F10AA0F56734 Heights Metro Station placing much of the 17D8CE2EB6BB00ED371). campus within a 5 minute walk of the metro. Given the nature of the neighborhood, this While public access to all historic seems to be a long-term goal. In addition, its properties is to be supported, it is necessary to impact on visitation at the cemetery is uncertain recognize that this access comes at a cost. since the hospital will remain closed. Increased visitation places additional Consequently, it seems unlikely that the maintenance and support strains on resources. cemetery will see a great deal of pedestrian Often the integrity and very character of a activity and we anticipate that most visitors will historic property can be degraded by increased continue to arrive in automobiles for the public visitation. It is very critical that St. foreseeable future. This, as explained Elizabeths anticipate and plan for critical previously, will necessitate appropriate parking. preservation functions. However, the cemetery was never Beyond the issue of how the public will intended to have vehicular traffic and what little be allowed access, there are associated issues of visitation it saw – or was anticipated by its parking and pedestrian access (discussed designers – was pedestrian. below). With no projections of annual visitation, it is difficult to provide meaningful The initial pathways (in sections 1-27) recommendations. It is, however, very were graveled. This was typical of low use important to ensure that parking does not cemetery design, although by the turn of the further degrade the visual integrity of the twentieth century it was far more common to cemetery. Thus, it is critical that the parking area see large pathways laid out using water or tar be screened from the cemetery, so that the bound macadam. Smaller pathways were impact of the cemetery landscape is not affected usually what were called New England tar by additional development activities. walks, described by one cemetarian as “attractive to the eye and easy on the feet,” they The remnant asphalt roads should be were considered both “durable and artistic” removed from the landscape and the areas (Crandell 1919). The same could not be said for grassed over. As mentioned, the road is in very gravel walks since they required more poor condition and, in the absence of the maintenance and were thought to be difficult to sexton’s cottage, no longer serves any function. walk on. Consequently, we recommend that it be removed, soil compaction reduced, and the area A significant problem with gravel was grassed. the constant incursion of grass. Today no evidence of the gravel walks remains. By the This road connects to a rear gate, early twentieth century many cemeteries began opening onto Robinson Place. There appears to to convert high maintenance features – such as be no need for this entrance and we recommend gravel paths – to features that would be easier to that the curb cut be removed by the District and maintain. Usually this meant that grassed paths gate removed (or permanently locked). would be used (Weed 1912:122; Anonymous 1917:506).

37 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

Figure 27. Suggested brick paving plan (brick paving shown in red), with recommended path widths.

Given the historical concern over the Advanced Pavement Technology maintenance required for graveled pathways (http://www.advancedpavement.com/pdf/aq and the improbability of staffing adequate to ua-bric1.pdf). These are not only pedestrian maintain such pathways today, we cannot friendly, meeting ADA requirements, but are recommend returning to the use of gravel. also environmentally sound, allowing water to Nevertheless, some mechanism for clearly move through the space between the blocks delineating pathways is important – not only for rather than running off. This will reduce erosion public safety, but also to allow the public to problems that might otherwise be associated better envision the cemetery and its extent. with hard pavement in the cemetery.

One paving method already suggested The brick pathway needs to accurately by those associated with the National Consumer trace the route of the primary connector Memorial is the use of brick paving. This may walkways in the cemetery and also conform to represent a suitable compromise between the original dimensions in order to provide an historical accuracy, maintenance capability, and accurate portrayal of the original cemetery pedestrian safety. We do offer several landscape design. Not all pathways, however, recommendations. need to be bricked. In fact, bricking all of the paths would not only be very expensive, but it would also begin to detract from the landscape, shifting visitor attention to what is, essentially, modern infrastructure. Consequently, we recommend only the primary north-south and central east-west connectors be bricked, as shown in Figure 27. This figure also provides the maximum pathways widths, which vary from section to section. It is very important that these maximums not be exceeded in order to prevent damage to any of the burials on-site.

Figure 28. Cross section of permeable brick Designers must also realize that the path pathway. connecting the western two-thirds of the cemetery to the eastern-most portion will cross We suggest the use of permeable pavers. directly over the archaeological remains of the One such example is the Aqua-Bric® by sexton’s cottage.

38 ACCESS AND PEDESTRIAN ISSUES

Since appropriately installed pavers will level landing). This indicates the need for about necessitate grading and installing base material six landings and about 60 feet of ramp. The up to 18-inches in depth (Figure 28), there is a access ramp would be entirely off the historic very strong probability that archaeological cemetery, confined to the newly constructed remains will be affected – particularly since the parking area. cottage is thought to have had a cellar. Thus archaeological study is recommended prior to Of course, the ADA or the any construction (archaeological study may be Rehabilitation Act of 1973, is generally not required if there is federal funding, licensing, or interpreted to apply to cemeteries by the permitting involved; archaeological study is Department of Justice. Nevertheless, we are an certainly required in the spirit of the Secretary of aging population and it would be appropriate Interior’s Standards for Preservation). This for the District to ensure access to the cemetery study should minimally include traditional by the broadest range of the public possible. shovel testing to identify the sites limits for the cottage, with additional testing to determine the For individuals with visual or types of materials present. ambulatory disabilities, the edge of a pathway or walk can pose a hazard. Consequently, the We do not recommend routing the pathways should be designed with some ADA pathway around these archaeological remains compliant indicator. Although this may take since doing so would detract from the formality several forms, we recommend the use of rough and strict linear appearance of the cemetery textured pavers along both edges since they path. This pathway – about 1,500 feet in length – detract the least from the overall appearance. will help define the major east-west axis, focusing visitor’s attention on the magnitude of Drainage the cemetery and the number of burials. There are no curbs or gutters installed This requires about 45,000 square feet of for any of the roads or pathways. We were not brick paving. present during a period of heavy rainfall, so we are not certain how the cemetery drains the Universal Access accumulated water.

There are few limiting factors for ADA However, looking at topographic maps compliance or universal access at the cemetery. of the cemetery (see, for example, Figure 12 and The topography tends to be relatively gentle and the close-up, Figure 20) we see that there were the slopes appear to be within the limits two natural drains running from the northeast allowable. The pavers themselves should be to the southwest. The first begins in Section 3, ADA approved. draining part of Section 2 to the east, and runs southwestward through Sections 7 and 11. The The only limiting factor is the access second begins in Section 17 and is most from the parking area to the cemetery entrance. noticeable in Section 13 where it drains This may reflect a difference in elevation of southward. about five feet. The cemetery does appear to have a While an expert in ADA compliant series of surface and subsurface drains, some design should be consulted, generally the appearing to have some antiquity. For example, maximum slope of a ramp in new construction there is a largely overgrown box culvert under is 1:12, with the maximum rise for any run being Robinson Place, allowing under road drainage 30 inches (every 30 inches there should be a into the cemetery. This drain requires cleaning.

39 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

Figure 29. Drains in the East Campus Cemetery. Upper left shows what appears to be a box culvert running under Robinson Place that requires cleaning and evaluation. Upper right shows one of two brick box drains at the southern edge of Section 3. These require cleaning and video inspection. Lower left shows a close-up of the western brick box drain. Note the glazed drain pipe running southward to a modern drain close to the southern entrance gate. Lower right photo shows a modern drain at the south edge of Section 13.

It should also be evaluated – it may be These drains may connect to a modern inappropriate to allow surface drainage across drain identified at the southern entrance to the the cemetery. cemetery. This drain, too, should be opened and cleaned. Of greater significance, we observed two probable nineteenth century brick drains at While we found no historic drains for the south edge of Section 3 – one at the foot of the second drainage, we did identify a modern grave 1910 and the other at the foot of grave drain at the southern edge of Section 13. 1898. The western drain reveals glazed drainage pipe running from the east (to the eastern drain). The drains in the cemetery, once Drainage exits this box to the south. The grates thoroughly inspected and cleaned, will require for both drains are missing and the boxes yearly inspections to ensure that they are themselves are filled with leaves and other operating correctly. We recommend that this debris. inspection be included in the preventative maintenance program at the cemetery.

40 ACCESS AND PEDESTRIAN ISSUES

Recommendations

Steps must be taken to allow visitation to the cemetery. Parking, however, should be shielded and not allowed to visually intrude on the cemetery landscape.

The existing asphalt roads should be removed, soil compaction reduced, and the area grassed.

The rear entrance into the cemetery, off Robinson Place, should be permanently closed. The curb cut should be removed and the gate removed (or locked).

The pathway should accurately trace the primary north-south and central east-west pathways in the cemetery, including the three ovals. Pathway widths should conform as closely as possible to the original design.

Archaeological investigations will be necessary where the path crosses the sexton’s cottage. This is of special importance since the cottage is thought to have had a cellar and this may be filled with archaeological materials.

Pathway design should ensure ADA compliance. This includes access to the cemetery from the parking area.

The concrete box culvert under Robinson Place should be cleaned and inspected. Special attention should be paid to any surface drainage across the cemetery.

The brick box drains should be cleaned and a video camera should be used to inspect the condition of the pipes. Additional drain cleaning may be necessary. Grates should be installed on the drains for public safety.

The modern drains at the south edge of

Sections 11 and 13 both require cleaning.

These cemetery drains will require yearly inspections and cleaning – this task should be added to routine maintenance operations.

41 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

42

LIGHTING AND SECURITY ISSUES

Cemetery Lighting Vandalism

The cemetery is surrounded by lighting. There is little corporate history for the There are four utility pole cobra fixtures on the cemetery and thus no documented cases of south side of Robinson Place. Additional cobra vandalism. Nevertheless, an individual who has lamps are currently found at the rear of the John worked at St. Elizabeths for a number of years Howard Pavilion, as well as along the security does recount considerable problems with fence of the new hospital. Both areas are also individuals from the public housing to the north illuminated by pole mounted flood lights. Thus, cutting through the cemetery property and while there are no lights in the cemetery proper, threatening workers. there is considerable lighting on the margins. Coupled with this, we see a very large number of stones damaged in a fashion that is consistent with vandalism. These stones were likely broken during the same period when St. Elizabeths was having significant problems with neighborhood crime.

This problem may have abated with the closing of the apartments, but we believe that this is an issue to which St. Elizabeths must devote additional attention.

Cemeteries do seem to Figure 30. Example of cobra lamps along Robinson Place at the attract vandalism, mischief, and north edge of the cemetery. Note also the dilapidated drunken behavior. The cemetery and overgrown condition of the fence. should be routinely patrolled by the private security retained by St.

Elizabeths. We understand that, at the present The cemetery would not have been time, security comes to the cemetery only when lighted historically and so the absence of there is a specific request (i.e., people are lighting today is entirely appropriate. We do not observed crossing through the cemetery from recommend the installation of lighting – it the housing areas to the north). This sort of would be out of character and necessitate response is inadequate and is not sufficient to considerable construction, which would have ensure the safety of either the cemetery or those the potential for impacting archaeological or visiting it. Routine patrols – during both the day skeletal remains. In addition, there is no and night – are critical to the protection of the evidence that lighting reduces vandalism in property. cemeteries, especially where there is no nearby security or public presence. 43 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

crime, police patrols, vandalism, or law enforcement. While the authors may believe that redevelopment can occur without dramatic improvements in the police protection offered in the area, we do not believe that the cemetery can be considered safe without an overall improvement in security – involving both the St. Elizabeths campus security and the District police.

Hardening Targets Figure 31. Multiple rows of broken stones indicate probable vandalism in the cemetery. Note proximity to damaged At St. Elizabeths fence section. another means of reducing Coupled with the use of patrols, it is vandalism is to make entry important for other staff to pay greater attention more difficult. After years of little or no to the cemetery. The cemetery requires routine, maintenance, the boundary fence has been on-going maintenance (discussed in a following significantly compromised and is no longer section) and those conducting this maintenance effective. should be encourage to report any new damage, as well as be constantly aware of any Figure 32 reveals areas of fence damage, unauthorized individuals in the cemetery. as well as areas where there are holes in the fence, allowing easy access into the cemetery. In Without some means of identifying many additional areas the fence is heavily damage close to the time when it has occurred, it covered in vegetation – making appropriate will never be possible to accurately determine inspections impossible. Further compromising the level of threat that the cemetery truly faces. the effectiveness of the fence is the large amount Maintenance should develop a set mechanism of trash – making it appear as though the for reporting, documenting, and responding to property is abandoned and uncared for. any damage or theft within the cemetery. Working these issues out ahead of time will It is absolutely critical that all of the make certain that problems are reported and trash be collected and disposed of as quickly as that there is an appropriate response. possible. We understand that St. Elizabeths has received some assistance in this effort and much Any observed damage in the cemetery work has been accomplished. This is excellent – should be immediately reported to the District it must continue until all trash is removed. of Columbia police and an investigation should be conducted in an effort to identify, arrest, and In addition, it is equally critical that all convict vandals. vegetation along the fence row be removed.

We find it extraordinary that in the With trash and vegetation removed, we entire Saint Elizabeths East Redevelopment strongly recommend that the northern, western, Framework Plan there is not a single mention of and eastern boundary fences be replaced, using

44 LIGHTING AND SECURITY ISSUES

Figure 32. Problems with the existing cemetery fence. Upper left shows damaged fence along Robinson Place that can be easily scaled. Upper right shows the fence with dense vegetation. Middle left shows the same fence with so much vegetation that its condition can’t be adequately assessed. All of this vegetation should be removed. Middle right shows the existing gates on Robinson Place that should be removed. Lower left shows an iron fence that offers almost no security. A section is missing and replaced with a wood insert, part of which has been chopped away, allowing easy access into the cemetery. Lower right shows the existing southern gate. A maintenance gate is needed, but probably does not need to be this wide.

45 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

high security chain link fencing. Although more • Add a bottom rail, secured in the center costly, there are several excellent reasons for this of the two line post using a 3/8" expense. First, using high quality materials will diameter eye hook anchored into a dramatically reduce long-term maintenance and concrete footing. The space at the repair costs. Second, the fence will provide a bottom of the fence should be no greater significantly greater deterrent. Third, the than 2-inches above grade. enhanced security will greatly reduce the liability of the hospital for increased visitation in • Use a complete color polymer coated the cemetery. system for the chain link fabric, fittings, framework and gates. Although it isn’t appropriate to provide specifications for the fencing, we can list what • All bolts should be peened once we believe are critical issues that should guide installed. the development of specifications for the north, east, and west sides of the cemetery. We have not recommended the use of stainless steel barbed wire tape at the top and • Fence height of 8 feet. bottom of the fence, since this tends to dramatically increase the “fortified” appearance • Use of 1-inch mesh and 9-gauge wire. and may be found too aggressive for the proposed redevelopment activities. We do not, • Elimination of the top rail; a 7-gauge however, recommend any further modifications coil spring wire should be installed in for the north fence. place of the top rail. If necessary, the east and west sides can • Add three strands of barbed wire on a be modified to have 1-inch mesh with 11 gauge three-strand 45-degree arm angled to wire. Additional modifications can include the the outside of the cemetery. elimination of the bottom rail (although the maximum 2-inch distance from grade should • The barbed wire arms should be bolted remain). A third modification if additional cost or riveted to the posts. savings are essential would be the elimination of the barbed wire.

Figure 33. Examples of wood fencing used historically at St. Elizabeths. On the left is a close-up of the fence that surrounded the West Campus Cemetery. On the right is fencing that was associated with the East Campus Cemetery. Both date from 1897.

46 LIGHTING AND SECURITY ISSUES

Along the south side, we recommend • 0.41 pcf for CBA-A; and that the existing fence be replaced. Here, • 0.21 pcf for CA-B. however, the level of security can be reduced. For example, while the 8 foot height should be Pcf stands for pounds of preservative per cubic maintained, a 2-inch, 9 gauge mesh is foot (pcf) of wood. appropriate. The bottom rail can be eliminated, as can the barbed wire. Although use of hot-dipped galvanized fasteners is usually acceptable, to minimize As an alternative along the south side, maintenance, we recommend the use of only 304 the hospital, as part of the National Consumer stainless steel fasteners. Memorial, may wish to consider the use of a wood picket fence matching those used These fences were historically painted. historically. Two examples are shown in Figure Even with the use of various wood preservatives 33. today, painting is still necessary, not to match historic appearance, but to help control surface While wood fencing does require more checking (splitting or cracking). Painting maintenance, this can be reduced by carefully depends on the type of wood used. For example, selecting materials and ensuring careful the manufacturer of Wolmanized products workmanship. Such a fence would present a recommends allowing the wood to dry for 6 considerably softened landscape over chain link, months before brush-application of an oil-based yet still provide a clear visual boundary. High primer followed by an appropriate top coat. security is not needed at the south edge since this will be entirely within the closed campus. We recommend that the north gate be entirely removed and that there be only two If wood fencing is selected, we gates in the south – a pedestrian gate placed at recommend using only treated wood for all the entrance to the brick path and a maintenance components. With the reduced availability of gate at a convenient location. Both should be Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) wood, there limited to minimum size appropriate, but may are several types of waterborne preservatives in be swing gates. common use: Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA-C), Alkaline Copper Quat (ACQ-C, ACQ- Theft D, ACQ-D Carbonate; e.g., Preserve and NatureWood®), Micronized Copper Quat Thefts in cemeteries have dramatically (MCQ; e.g., MicroPro™, Smart Sense™), Copper increased nationwide. The East Campus Azole (CBA-A & CA-B; e.g., Wolmanized Cemetery, however, has few objects that would Natural Select™) and Sodium Borates be attractive to thieves and vandalism remains (SBX/DOT; e.g., Advance Guard®). Each the primary concern. preservative usually has a number of variations available, the most important being the retention Nevertheless, the very large number of level, or amount of preservative that remains in orphan stones – stones out of the ground and the wood after the treatment process is simply lying around the cemetery – are possible complete. targets. Consequently, it is good practice to secure these stones in safe storage until such We recommend only retention levels time as appropriate repairs are possible. suitable for Ground Contact (even for those members above grade). These are designed as: Stones collected for storage, however, must be carefully documented, with information • 0.40 pcf for ACQ, CCA-C, MCQ;

47 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

It is essential that the St. Elizabeths security force routinely patrol the cemetery. Special attention should be paid to weekends and holidays.

The maintenance staff should walk through the cemetery on a daily basis, noting any damage or problems.

A policy should be developed for identifying, reporting, and responding to damage, vandalism, and theft within the cemetery.

All vandalism or other problems in the cemetery should be, as a matter of routine practice, reported to the DC police for investigation.

The cemetery requires replacement of its existing fence. We recommend the installation of a high security fence on the north, east, and west sides, with either an industrial fence or historic wood picket fence on the south side. The number of gates should be minimized and the gate on Robinson Place should be

Figure 34. Confederate Cross recovered from eliminated. the West Campus Cemetery. Items of particular value, such as the metal obtained concerning where the stone was found Confederate markers, should be recast and and where it is being stored. reproductions should be placed in the cemetery. An object at considerable risk would be the iron Confederate crosses since they are portable and unique. One intact specimen has been identified from the West Campus Cemetery and is in the hands of the GSA. We recommend that this cross be recast and replacements set in the cemetery. The use of reproductions would reduce the risk of vandalism and allow easy replacement should that be necessary.

Recommendations

No lighting should be introduced into the cemetery. Such lighting is out of character, damages the historic setting, and creates a visual intrusion.

48

LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE

Introduction to see none, given the difficulty of the task, this is still very good. The cemetery for many years was well maintained, probably because of the sexton The brush is being cut, either by hand or position – an individual exclusively devoted to by the bush hog, piled up, and removed from the cemetery. Even up to about 1980 there seems the property. The only modification we to have been an effort to provide minimal recommend is that the hospital use a chipper maintenance. However, beginning about 1990 and store the resulting mulch for later use. the level of maintenance declined drastically. While rental chippers are available to handle RTKL (2008:16) suggests that much of this branches that range from 3 to 20 inches in decline had set in by 1996. The Department of diameter, the hospital may be able to obtain a Justice alleges that the facility’s preventative chipper from the DC Department of Public maintenance program, discontinued in 1999, led Works. to much of the overall decay seen in the facility (letter from Wan J. Kim to Mayor Anthony With only Mr. Hill and one other Williams, dated May 23, 2006, individual, the work was progressing slowly but http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/split/documents/S steadily. When Mr. Hill lost his one assistant the t_Es_findlet_5-23-06.pdf). This decline is seen in work ceased and, to date, has not resumed. It is the gradual loss of the western half of the critical that all of the brush from the cemetery be cemetery to thick underbrush and trees (see cut and removed. In addition, piles of debris still Figure 24). on the cemetery property must be removed.

The initial section below therefore It is essential that the hospital ensure discusses immediate steps necessary to recover that a crew adequate for this work is the cemetery, although much of this work has immediately appointed. already been very admirably accomplished, almost singlehandedly, by Mr. Nathaniel Hill In addition, the cemetery was heavily with the hospital’s maintenance staff. Following covered with vines and many of these are still is a more detailed discussion of the long-term on the ground. With the warm weather, these maintenance of the cemetery. and other vegetation will soon begin to grow back. It is critical that steps be taken to eliminate Critical Brush Removal Steps as much of this vegetation as possible.

The hospital has already made Much of this may be Japanese significant strides under the direction of Mr. honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) an invasive Nathaniel Hill to clear the cemetery of species (see Figure 35). If so, manual and undergrowth. The work has been conducted mechanical control is generally ineffective since partially by hand using a chainsaw and partially removing the above ground portion of the plant using a small bush hog. Both pieces of generally stimulates dense regrowth. Cut equipment can cause significant damage, but material can also take root, requiring complete our inspection revealed that great care had been removal – a generally impossible task for large taken and we were able to find only one tracts. possibly damaged stone. While we would prefer 49 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

Figure 35. Vegetation clearing issues. Top left photo shows dense vegetation remaining in the western third of the cemetery that requires removal. Top right photo illustrates cut limbs and logs that should be removed from the cemetery and chipped. Middle left photo shows tree stumps that require cutting flush to the ground to allow future mowing. Middle right photo shows the dense honeysuckle that will require chemical control. Bottom left photo shows thick poison ivy vines on one of historic trees in the cemetery. These require immediate attention. Bottom right photo illustrates a small patch of daffodils – historic vegetation that should be carefully protected.

50 LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE

Chemical control appears to offer the hospital should use brush cutters, capable of best prospects for the elimination of cutting stems at ground level. This is an honeysuckle. Studies have shown a variety of essential step since it will allow future mowing approaches, but those found most effective by using standard equipment. the US Forest Service include either: It is also critical that all brush, vines, • treating foliage with one of the and debris be removed from the fences. This will following herbicides in water with a first require that all trash be collected. We surfactant (July to October or during understand that volunteers have made warm days in early winter) keeping considerable progress in this effort, but it must spray away from desirable plants: a continue and should be accomplished before glyphosate herbicide as a 2% solution; efforts are made to clear the vegetation. or We also recommend that a buffer of 20- • cut large vines just above the soil 50 feet be cleared at the west edge of the surface and immediately treat the cemetery. Having such a buffer will increase freshly cut stem with a glyphosate security and help prevent vegetation from herbicide as a 20% solution in water gradually invading the cemetery grounds. with a surfactant July to October. Summary Non-target plants may be killed or injured by root uptake using the first approach. The cemetery vegetation removal The second is safe for surrounding plants. We should follow these basic steps: did observe a few areas of intentional plantings, such as daffodils. Special care should be taken to • Major clumps of vegetation should be avoid damaging these plantings since they removed using chainsaws and a bush represent items planted by families or friends of hog with care to avoid damaging the deceased. We should also note that these hidden stones. herbicides are damaging to stones, so special care is required to avoid spraying on or around • All vegetation should be chipped, with the gravestones. the mulch stored off-site for eventual use in the cemetery. In fact, we recommend the painting of all large, freshly cut stems or trees, regardless of • Vegetation that can’t be chipped should species, with a minimum of 20% glyphosate be removed from the cemetery grounds. (Roundup). This will help ensure that suckers do not sprout. • Large vegetation stumps should be treated by painting with a 20% solution This technique should be used to control (or higher) of Roundup. the poison ivy found growing on a number of the large, historic trees (Figure 35). Poison ivy is • Areas of invasive vegetation (such as not simply a hazard to the public, it also will Japanese honeysuckle) should be gradually strangle the tree, reducing its health. sprayed with a 2% solution of Roundup We recommend that steps be taken to and a surfactant from July to October. It immediately control the poison ivy. is likely that multiple treatments will be required. All vegetation should be cut as close to the ground as practical. To assist in this the

51 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

• Large stumps or stubs should be cut to include tasks such as resetting stones, cleaning grade using a brush cutter. drains, fertilizing, applying herbicides, clearing fence rows, collecting leaves, or pruning trees. Staffing It does not appear that this level of Ideally, in-house staff will be assigned attention has been routinely given to the for the care of the cemetery. This promotes cemetery, even when the East Campus was fully continuity, familiarity with the resource, and operational during the last half of the twentieth consistency of treatment that is difficult to century. This accounts for the deteriorated achieve if the work is contracted out. conditions and will require that additional time be spent to improve the current conditions and For this to work, however, it is make various necessary improvements. important that the caregiver understand the level of attention needed by a cemetery and that Staff Training staffing needs and other issues are not calculated based simply on the acreage. Sadly, professional training in the landscape industry, at least among the public, is Level of Staffing undervalued. This contributes to rapid turn-over and inappropriate maintenance activities – Cemetery maintenance generally especially damaging when work is periodically requires a minimum of two trained staff and a contracted out, with minimal specifications and supervisor for every 10 acres. This level of little supervision to the firm with the lowest bid. attention is based on a traditional rural landscape or memorial park cemetery. The 9 In 2005 the Associated Landscape acre East Campus Cemetery, given the very low Contractors of America (ALCA) and the density of memorials, will have lower demands. Professional Lawn Care Association of America (PLCAA) merged to form the Professional How low depends on the appearance Landcare Network (PLANET). This organization expected. Like any landscape maintenance offers several certification programs, but the program, the level of public expectations should most important for this particular cemetery is drive the actions implemented and these, in the Certified Landscape Technician – Exterior. turn, will determine staffing needs. As these The exam for this certification is a hands-on field discussions make clear, however, cemetery test and candidates can be tested in Installation, maintenance is more than simply mowing the Maintenance, or Irrigation. Technicians at the grass, even at a very simple cemetery such as we East Campus cemetery should be certified in see on the East Campus. Maintenance. This would establish credentials by meeting international standards for safe and Thus, we estimate that appropriate care of effective operation of machinery and the cemetery will require a minimum of one staff demonstrating a thorough understanding of all person 3 days a week. Any less than this and it is facets of the position. likely that cemetery care will suffer and the hospital may expect complaints and A similar certification program is also dissatisfaction. offered by the Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association (Virginia Certified Horticulturist) at Mowing alone, using a 48-58 inch deck both a basic and advanced level. The Maryland mower, will require one day. Using a nylon Nursery and Landscape Association has a weed trimmer around stones after mowing will certification program for Professional require another half day. And this does not

52 LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE

Horticulturist (as well as several advanced lands – recently planted in eastern red cedars certifications). and deciduous trees.

There are training opportunities in the Examination of the aerial photographs immediate area. For example, the Community shown in Figure 24 shows some consistency in College of Baltimore County offers a degree the historic vegetation. Many of the larger trees program in Horticulture that includes courses in present in the cemetery almost certainly have soils and fertilizers, integrated pest been present for much of the property’s history. management, turf management, and woody One of the most common is the bur oak (Quercus ornamentals. Review classes for the Virginia macrocarpa). These are slow to medium growing Certified Horticulturist exam are also offered by trees having a rounded, spreading silhouette the Hampton Roads Nursery and Landscape with a dense crown and stout limbs. It is Association.

The Quality of Supervision

Regardless of the credentials or certification, the complexity and fragility of cemetery landscapes requires that the technicians are well supervised and are held accountable for their performance. It is especially important, therefore, that the supervisory position be carefully defined. The selected individuals must not only be well trained and knowledgeable, but also possess Figure 36. Casey Trees map of the St. Elizabeth East Campus demonstrated supervisory Cemetery area showing tree canopy cover. experience. The supervisors must be expected to manage activities in the cemetery. typically a large tree reaching a height and spread of 70 to 90 feet. It is also a long-lived tree, Continuity of the Staff living for 200 years or longer.

Maintaining the continuity of a The tree requires little pruning to maintenance staff with a commitment to the develop a strong structure but the wood is preservation of a historic cemetery is critical. It susceptible to breakage. Surface roots are not a not only serves to help ensure the highest problem and it is drought tolerant. It was possible quality of care, but also allows the introduced to cultivation in 1804 (Adams specialized knowledge that accrues to be 2004:95) and has been historically planted for its transferred to new staff members over time. appearance.

Trees While Eastern red cedars (Juniperus virginiana) were clearly planted based on the Historic and Current Conditions 1897 photograph, those on the cemetery today appear to be second growth – young trees that The only historic photograph of the self-seeded and, with minimal maintenance, cemetery (Figure 19) reveals a young landscape were allowed to grow. – perhaps previously pasture or agricultural

53 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

It is likely that the cemetery’s vegetation years to determine whether any macro or was managed only to the degree that was micronutrients are lacking. required to open and close graves. Most trees would simply have been “worked around,” and While no such tests are available for the the cemetery’s burial ledger has numerous notes East Campus Cemetery, the GSA’s Bartlett study that graves were not used because of trees. in the vicinity of the West Campus Cemetery found that soil pH levels were generally low, Maintenance Issues ranging from 4.3 to 5.2. Typically a range of 6.0 to 6.5 is recommended for most plants. The soil Maintenance involves at least four basic studies found that other macronutrients, such as issues: watering, fertilization, pruning, and pest potassium, were also low. control. The hospital should immediately fund It seems unlikely that any of these trees soil analyses for the trees in the cemetery. have ever received water on a routine basis and Although not free, the cost is very low – have, instead, relied on rainfall. Fortunately, averaging about $9 per sample and 10 samples both the bur oak and Eastern red cedar are would be adequate to obtain a good overall drought tolerant. While this is typically understanding of the soil conditions. A listing of acceptable, the landscape plan should include these test labs and information for interpreting provisions for deep-root water during periods of the results can be found at extreme drought – every reasonable effort http://www.hgic.umd.edu/content/document should be made to ensure that historic plantings s/SelectingandUsingaSoilTestLabwithchart2_09. are not needlessly lost. pdf.

Using a root feeder without fertilizer, it It is best to fertilize trees when they are is possible to apply water 12-inches below the actively growing and have available water to surface. This approach can not only be used help absorb nutrients. In the DC area this is from during drought, but also during extended the spring, after new leaves emerge, through periods of dry weather during the winter (as mid-season. Fertilizer should not be applied late long as the temperatures are above freezing). in the season or during periods of drought.

There have also been no provisions to In a cemetery setting organic fertilizers provide fertilization to the trees. We typically should be the primary choice. These materials, recommend deep root fertilization – an such as cottonseed meal and bone meal, have approach where the liquid fertilizer is injected much lower salt indices than inorganic into the soil with a probe, typically 6 to 12- fertilizers – resulting in reduced salt uptake by inches below the surface at a spacing of about 2 monuments. This is important since salts cause to 3 feet. This process not only provides staining, spalling, and deterioration of marbles, fertilization, but also some aeration of the soil. sandstones, brick, and even granites. In An alternative approach uses a drill to excavate addition, organic fertilizers have a slower holes in a similar pattern which are then filled release rate and are easy on the root systems. with a granular fertilizer. Either is acceptable. An excellent source explaining organic While shoot growth (growth occurring fertilizer choices is in the present year) and foliage color are often http://www.cmg.colostate.edu/gardennotes/2 used as indicators of nutrient deficiency, the best 34.pdf. The publication at indicator of whether fertilization is necessary is http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubs/PDF a soil test. Samples should be taken every 3 to 5 /C853.pdf provides information on converting

54 LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE

Figure 37. Tree issues in the East Campus Cemetery. Upper left photo shows a topped tree that probably requires removal and replacement. Upper right and middle left photos show a variety of trees with crossing branches that require cleaning and extensive pruning. Middle right and lower left photos show a double leader tree where one half of the tree has fallen, leaving a serious wound and extensive rot. The tree will probably require removal and replacement. Lower right photo shows a double leader tree that requires extensive pruning for the health of the tree and to reduce weight on the two trunks.

55 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

traditional inorganic fertilizer recommendations We also observed several trees that are to safer organic recipes. in decline. Trees do decline with age, especially when, for years, they have received little or no Many of the trees exhibit considerable care. This decline is of special concern if the tree damage, including dead wood, broken branches, is allowed to become hazardous. The damage and crossing branches. These trees will require created by a downed tree can far exceed the cost pruning for either thinning or cleaning. of removal. Thinning is a technique of pruning that removes selected branches to increase light and air Trees should be inspected for potential movement through the crown. This also threats to monuments, as well as general health. decreases weight on heavy branches. The Ideally these inspections should be made yearly natural shape of the tree is retained and its and after any storm where the winds exceed 55 overall health is improved. In cleaning, the mph. They should be pruned to remove pruning removes branches that are dead, dying, potentially hazardous dead wood on a yearly diseased, crowded, broken, or otherwise basis, but safe pruning every 5 years by a defective. This includes narrow crotches. certified arborist is acceptable.

Trees should be pruned in such a Tree Removals manner as to preserve the natural character of the plant and in accordance with ANSI A300 There are several trees in the cemetery (Part 1) - 2001 standards. In pruning, branches that will almost certainly be recommended for should always be cut just beyond the branch removal. It is critical that removed trees be collar (an extension of the main stem) and not replaced by the same or similar species. In fact, flush with the trunk. Large branches should be this process can begin even before tree removal removed with three cuts to prevent tearing of by the planting of replacement trees. This early the bark, which can weaken the trunk and lead intervention will provide the new trees with an to disease. opportunity to begin to fill in and maintain the current cemetery appearance. Under no circumstances are tree climbers (hooks, spikes, gaffs) to be worn while Significant delay in fertilizing, pruning, ascending, descending, or working in trees to be evaluating, and removing trees in decline will pruned. likely result in the need to remove additional

Figure 38. Two examples of improperly removed wind-downed trees. No effort has been made to remove the stumps to grade, restore the uprooted soil, or reset the stones. This demonstrates the absence of appropriate maintenance the cemetery has suffered in the past several decades.

56 LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE

trees – thereby causing a more significant impact quantities of leaves, seeds, or sap (such as ash, to the landscape and making it more difficult for black cherry, catalpa, ginko, horsechestnut, new trees to begin to fill in the open areas. We mulberry, and sweetgum); and trees that are discuss the process of selecting replacement especially weak or vulnerable to wind or ice trees below. damage (such as ash, black cherry, pine, poplar, red maple, silver maple, tuliptree, willow, and Trees that require removal should have white ash). their stumps cut as low as practical and left in place. We do not recommend stump grinding. Obviously, there is no such thing as a The reason for this is that stump grinding has perfect tree. Many of the historically appropriate the potential to disturb the soil and may expose species have significant problems. At least some human remains. In addition, the process of of these problems, however, can be overcome stump grinding exposes stones to additional through judicious placement and appropriate potential for damage. planning.

There are several wind downed trees in Planting Issues the cemetery where the tree has been cut and removed, but no effort has been made to restore Locations chosen for planting should the landscape (Figure 38). The result is an not interfere with gravestones, curbing, or eyesore and provides clear evidence of fences. Issues of security should also be inadequate and inappropriate maintenance in considered and the use of small trees that the past. obscure eye level views should generally be limited or avoided. We recommend that the above grade portion of the stump be removed. In cases where Research is suggesting that trees, the root ball has lifted the soil above grade, it especially older mature trees, improve in health may be necessary to entirely remove the root when turfgrass is removed under the branch ball, with the soil carefully examined by a spread and mulch is applied at a depth not forensic anthropologist for evidence of human exceeding 3 to 4-inches. This is a practice that remains (which, if found, will need to be could be productively employed at the East reburied). Clearly it is far easier to maintain the Campus Cemetery. Staff should be closely health of the cemetery’s trees and prevent supervised to prevent over mulching of incidents such as this. vegetation.

Tree Replacements All replacement trees should be of at least 1-inch caliper and meet the minimum Good practice for landscape requirements of the American Nursery and conservation is to replace removed trees with Landscape Association’s American Standard for the same or similar species. Nursery Stock (ANSI Z60.1-2004).

Some trees, whether historically Pest Control appropriate or not, should probably be avoided since they pose significant maintenance issues. During this visit we observed no These include trees that produce dense shade obvious evidence of pests in the cemetery area. (causing problems with the turfgrass); trees that We suspect that little, if any, previous pest exhibit suckers or surface roots (also causing control procedures have been used. turfgrass problems, e.g., beech, honeylocust, linden, poplar, and willow); trees that drop large

57 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

Several of the trees, however, Table 5. appear to exhibit significant rot. List of ISA Certified Arborists in the District of Columbia

The certified arborist should Name Business Phone examine the trees for pest and disease Chapman, Jack 202-863-1991 problems at the same time the general Bartlett Tree Experts, inspection for pruning is conducted. Taylor, Duke Washington, DC 202-425-6730 Pitchford Associates, ISA Certified Arborists Pitchford, Keith Washington, DC 202-333-3851 Powers, Kurt 703-626-6309 All pruning within the Portico, Inc., cemetery should be performed by an Wheeler, Lauren Washington, DC 202-832-9660 International Society of Arboriculture allowing replacements to begin to fill in the (ISA) Certified Arborist, preferably one who is canopy prior to the need for removing also an ISA Certified Tree Worker/Climber additional old specimens. While in general Specialist. The ISA Certified Tree similar species should be selected, problem trees Worker/Climber Specialist has knowledge in should be avoided. the major aspects involved in tree care including pruning, removal, cabling and safety. These are The hospital, using an ISA certified critical skills when working among historic arborist, should begin and maintain a routine monuments. program of inspection and pruning. All pruning within the Cemetery should be performed by an The District of Columbia employs at International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) least four ISA Certified Arborists, primarily in Certified Arborist, preferably one who is also an the Urban Forestry Department. It may be that ISA Certified Tree Worker/Climber Specialist. they can provide the hospital with and Table 5 provides a list of Certified Arborists for inspection and a written prescription, if not the immediate area. actually perform the work. Shrubbery Otherwise, Table 5 lists several ISA certified arborists in the DC area that can be The cemetery does not evidence an contracted to perform this work. abundance of plantings. In fact, we have identified a single yucca (Yucca flaccida) and an Summary arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis). There may have been additional plantings, but they are no The plantings at the East Campus longer identifiable (or recognizable). Cemetery may include trees that represent natural vegetation, but it is also clear from the The yucca, known as a weak-leaf yucca, historic photos that many of the plantings were is similar to the common Adam's-Needle (Yucca intentional and represent part of the cemetery filamentosa), but has more pliable, slightly design. As such, it is critically important that narrower lancelolate leaves, that produce long, these trees be carefully tended. All exhibit straight filaments at the leaf margins. The outer significant pruning and fertilization needs. On- leaves recurve and rest on the ground justifying going maintenance is critical to ensure that these the "flaccida" epithet. It is not, however, clear trees remain in (or are returned to) good health. whether this is a valid species or a variety of Yucca filamentosa. It is nevertheless reasonable to remove those few trees that are in significant decline –

58 LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE

pruning is done, it must be undertaken with great care.

The arborvitae at the East Campus Cemetery (Figure 39) has unfortunately been dramatically affected by inappropriate pruning. The damage done to the plant is so severe that it cannot be salvaged. We recommend the removal of the plant and its replacement with a new arborvitae specimen. In the future, special care must be exercised to ensure those entrusted with pruning are knowledgeable and appropriately trained. As mentioned before, it is

typically best not to prune an arborvitae, taking care in planting it where it may grow without overwhelming stones or pathways.

The cemetery also evidences a variety of situations where shrubs (or perhaps volunteer growth) adjacent to stones were removed, but no effort was made to restore the landscape by completely removing the plant or replanting. As with the downed trees previously discussed (and illustrated in Figure 38), this degrades the landscape

Figure 39. Shrubbery at the East Campus Cemetery. Top is and gives the cemetery an uncared for a weak-leafed yucca. Bottom is an incorrectly appearance. pruned arborvitae. When small plantings are The arborvitae is a neat shrub with tight, removed an effort should be made to remove as compact foliage held in dense, fanlike vertical much as the root ball as possible, to a depth of sprays. Although it can grow as tall as 50 feet about 12-18 inches. This should not affect the with a spread of 20 feet, the arborvitae usually burial deposit, but will remove the item from grows as a smaller, bushier shrub with a conical the landscape and allow a new planting to be or teardrop shape. put in, if appropriate.

Both are common cemetery plants, Consequently, part of the maintenance probably because they are very hardy and are program at the cemetery should involve the evergreens. removal of dead plantings such as those illustrated by Figure 40. The arborvitae, in particular, has a variety of wonderful characteristics – but it does We do not recommend that the not tolerate pruning well and it cannot cemetery utilize shrubs. These plantings require rejuvenate from old wood; therefore when considerable maintenance and staffing is not

59 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

primarily of weedy species. There are areas of tall fescue, although in most areas no clearly defined turfgrass is present. The turf thins quickly to the west, where honeysuckle vines dominate and little grass is present.

Being located in a transition zone there are several types of turf that would work in the cemetery, including fine fescues, zoysia, or even Bermuda. Perhaps the best choice, however, is a turf-type tall fescue. The tall fescues are adaptable to a variety of site conditions, including sun and partial shade. They are among the grasses that are least prone to disease and insect infestations. They are drought tolerate. While in hot, dry conditions they typically go dormant, they recover when rainfall and cool conditions return. They require little fertilization and don’t form a heavy thatch layer.

The benefit of establishing a turf grass goes beyond simple aesthetics. Having a turf grass would likely reduce the frequency of mowing, since weed mowing is done on a schedule to keep the different growing plants at a uniform height.

Figure 40. Examples of incompletely removed shrubs or volunteer vegetation. These require complete Establishing a Turf removal. The older cemetery sections available to ensure that they are properly cared (as shown in Figure 41) do have a rather worn for. In addition, the available historic and ragged turf. However, much of the property photographs do not suggest that shrubs were a has no turf at all and is densely covered in significant component of the cemetery partially mulched vines (see Figures 35 and 37). landscape. It would therefore be far better to It is critical that a reasonably good stand of turf replant the cemetery using trees such as oaks is developed in the cemetery. and, especially, cedars (since the latter do not produce significant debris that require removal). We calculate that about 2,400 pounds of

turf-type tall fescue seed will be required for Turfgrass Issues seeding those areas with no grass. An additional

600 pounds should be used in broadcast Although Figure 41 illustrates what overseeding of the existing turf areas. appears to be thick grass, it actually consists 60 LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE

survival of seedlings are improved when seed are lightly covered with soil and the seedbed firmed. Some planters perform both of these operations. Where seed is broadcast on the soil surface, rake the seed into the soil or cover lightly with topsoil or mulch. After seeding, keep the seedbed moist for 14 to 21 days to obtain maximum germination. Then, gradually reduce the frequency of watering.

Overseeding is best done using a slit seeder that makes grooves Figure 41. Turf at the East Campus Cemetery showing in the soil and applies the seed. clumps of tall fescue and many weeds. Overseeding should take place when Fescue can be seeded when soil the grass is actively growing, usually temperature reaches 55°F in spring up until a Mid-August through early October. minimum of 8 weeks before frost in fall. However, early fall is the optimum time to Additional information is available from establish tall fescue from seed. While spring the publication by the Maryland Cooperative plantings of tall fescue may be successful, the Extension available at risk of losing immature plants to summer heat http://www.hgic.umd.edu/_media/documents and drought stress is greater. /hg102.pdf.

A well prepared seedbed is essential for It is likely that the most difficult aspect establishing fescue. A starter fertilizer can be of the program will be providing adequate worked into the seed bed prior to planting. The water for seeding or overseeding. The Maryland soil should be rototilled to a depth of 3 to 4 Extension Service recommends that if watering inches and firmed with a roller prior to seeding. is not possible, seeding should be postponed The site must be well-drained so attention until September, when temperatures are cooler should be given to final grading of the site. and rainfall usually increases. Another approach Bermudagrass and some annual grasses are is to hydromulch, which will help hold soil particularly troublesome in tall fescue turf. Steps moisture. should be taken prior to planting to eliminate these undesirable grasses. A non-selective Irrigation – Short Term and Long Term herbicide such as glyphosate (Roundup) should Regardless, the success of a seeding be used to control bermudagrass prior to program depends on having water available. planting tall fescue – and has been previously recommended to eliminate the honeysuckle. Therefore, we recommend that the hospital lay down a temporary, above ground sprinkler We recommend seeding at a rate of system. This should be tied into a nearby fire about 300-400 pounds per acre for broadcast hydrant, allowing good water volume (gpm) seeding on new turf areas and at a rate of 200 and good pressure (psi). pounds per acre for overseeding. Uniform distribution of seed is essential to develop a While the system can be zoned, it may be less costly to install valves for individual complete cover. Germination of seed and 61 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

sexton’s cottage and requires archaeological study). It would then be possible to run hose bibs off this line every 200 feet, allowing the grounds to be spot watered as necessary. This would provide an important degree of protection for the landscape in the event of a drought.

If this option is selected, the hospital may wish to investigate the use of Woodford (or equivalent) sanitary hydrants that would provide back flow prevention, frost proofing to a depth of 2-3 feet, and allow the faucet to be

Figure 42. Portion of a sample above grade locked to prevent misuse. These may temporary irrigation plan for the western significantly reduce the level of maintenance fifth (about 1.8 acres) of the East Campus necessary at the cemetery (since winter Cemetery. drainage would not be required as long as the lines themselves were below the frost depth of heads, allowing manual adjustment depending about 20 inches). on the pressure available. The simple design shown in Figure 42 would require Mowing approximately 90 heads (including both full circle and adjustable heads), 90 valves, 1,530 feet Tall fescue is cut from 2½ to 3½ inches of main line, and 2,300 feet of branch lines. The during the spring and summer and 2½ inches in Hunter I-90 Large Area Rotor and Nozzle Set the fall and winter. Use a sharp rotary or reel covers a radius of about 96 feet – the largest mower and remove only one third of the leaf coverage area of commercial sprinklers. While material per mowing. During peak spring and higher volume agricultural sprinklers are fall growth periods this requires mowing at 5- available, they are also far more costly than the day intervals. If the lawn is mowed at the proper Hunter heads. height and frequency, it is not necessary to remove grass clippings. Any irrigation specialist can develop more complete specifications for such a project. While we have little data on the current The goal, however, should be to develop an (or past) practices, the stones provide clear inexpensive system that can be salvaged after it evidence of the management practices. A is no longer needed. significant number exhibit scrapes typically caused by a mower deck scraping the stone. A We do not recommend any permanent number of the monuments also exhibit chips irrigation system for the cemetery. Such systems being removed by direct, and considerable, are intrusive, expensive, and often damaging to impact (Figure 43). the stones themselves (through the constant exposure to high pressure water streams). These types of damage are characteristic of inappropriate mowing – using equipment The hospital may, however, wish to that is too large; allowing the grass (weeds) to consider as an option, placing the main line grow too high, reducing the visibility of the below grade and installing a permanent meter stones; and aggressive mowing (often the result for the line. Run down the center of the of attempting to too quickly complete the project property, it would be under the proposed brick and move on). walkway (except for where it crosses the 62 LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE

Also present are parallel striations. These are caused by inappropriate use of nylon trimmers with line that is too heavy.

Much of the cemetery is open, allowing use of large deck mowers. We do not, however, recommend the use of decks over 48-58 inches. These mowers must not be allowed to come closer than 12-18 inches to the stone; nylon string trimmers may then be used to complete the work up to the stone and between the individual stones in a given row.

We recommend that all mower decks be padded using closed cell foam attached by drilling the deck or using a non-tacky adhesive. This will help protect stones from occasional and inadvertent damage.

The nylon trimmer line must not be over 0.065 inch in diameter (currently a 0.095 inch line is being used, based on fragments collected on-site). This light gauge line is less likely to damage the stones. Ensuring that a heavier line is not being used will require careful attention of the supervisory staff since technicians will want to use a heavier line to reduce their work and speed up the process.

Fertilization and Weed Control

Given the dense cover of weeds, it is clear that no effort has been made in the past to control unwanted vegetation. Likewise, we suspect that no effort has been made to fertilize the cemetery. While fescues do not require extensive fertilization, they do require the

application of nitrogen. Figure 43. Examples of stone damage caused by mowers and trimmer line. We strongly recommend that soil tests be conducted every two to

three years, with fertilization based on the needs

63 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

as specified by these tests. Unfortunately the control of crabgrass, goosegrass, and similar Maryland Cooperative Extension discontinued weeds between March and May. soil tests several years ago. Commercial laboratories capable of conducting the work are Excellent advice regarding weed control provided at in fescue can be obtained from http://www.hgic.umd.edu/content/document http://www.hgic.umd.edu/content/document s/SelectingandUsingaSoilTestLabwithchart2_09. s/hg101.pdf. pdf. Pest Control Practices

Table 6. Similarly, there is Fertilization Recommended for Fescue no evidence that the cemetery caregivers have Mid- Annual undertaken any pest control Grass Sept. Oct. Nov. June May Total practices. White grubs are Tall fescue 1.0 1.0 0 1.0* 0 2.0-3.0 generally the most common ______pests of fescue, although fire pounds of nitrogen fertilizer per 1000ft2 by month ants arrived in Maryland in * fertilize only if needed for color 1986 and are today confirmed in two counties, Tall fescue grows on soils with pH of 4.7 as well as the District of Columbia by the USDA to 9.5, but does best when soil pH is maintained Agricultural Research Service. between 6.0 and 8.5. If fire ants are identified in the cemetery For top appearance, fertilization will be we recommend minimally that individual required, with multiple, light applications of mounds be treated with a product such as nitrogen and a yearly application of potassium. Amdro (hydramethylnon). An even better Table 6 shows a typical fertilizer regimen. approach is the use of Amdro as a broadcast fire ant bait while fire ants are foraging. After 10-14 Often an inorganic fertilizer is used days it should then be used as an individual since they are readily available. As previously mound treatment on any mounds that continue discussed, in order to minimize salt uptake by the to be a problem. This approach should be used stones, slow release organic fertilizers should be used twice a year, typically in April or May and again and inorganic fertilizers should be avoided. in September or October.

Similarly, many herbicides contain salts Summary and these, too, can migrate into stones, causing discoloration, spalling, and other damage. Thus The cemetery currently lacks a turf over the use of herbicides should be held to a approximately two-thirds of the property. minimum. Failure to establish a turf will result in extensive and on-going maintenance issues. As a result we We recognize, however, some recommend that the current dense weeds and treatments will be necessary – both to eliminate vines in the East Campus cemetery be converted the currently infested cemetery and to maintain to a turf grass. Although Bermuda and Zoysia the fescue. Weeds are best controlled when they grasses can be grown in the District of are actively growing, with cool season grasses Columbia, we believe a better choice is a turf generally treated in the fall or spring. Pre- type tall fescue. emergent herbicides may be applied for the

64 LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE

To achieve this goal it will be necessary cleaning. All pruning should follow the to use an herbicide to kill the existing weeds and requirements of ANSI A300 (Part 1) - 2001 vines, prepare the surface, and seed standards. The pruning should be conducted approximately 6 acres. Overseeding will be by or supervised by ISA Certified Arborists. required on an additional 3 acres. This initial inspection should also determine Once accomplished, there will be which trees should be removed (and replaced), ongoing maintenance, such as weekly mowing as well as develop specifications for and during the growing season, weed control, and oversee a fertilization program. fertilization. This accounts for our previous recommendation that the cemetery will require, In the future, all cemetery trees should be minimally, one staff person 3 days a week. evaluated and pruned at least once every 5 years by an ISA Certified Arborist. A Recommendations knowledgeable staff person should inspect the trees on a yearly basis and after any storm with A critical first step is to remove the remaining winds in excess of 55 mph. volunteer growth on the cemetery. This includes completely clearing fence lines, Trees that require removal should be cut as cutting all stumps to grade, and applying an close to the ground as possible. Stumps should herbicide to prevent the regrowth of this not be ground, but allowed to decompose vegetation. naturally. The resulting hole should be periodically filled in. Care must be taken to prevent damage to stones, trees, or other non-target vegetation Trees that have been blown down by the wind, during the cleaning process. taking up part of their root balls, require the stump to be cut to grade. The root ball must The absolute minimum level of staff required then be either removed or replaced in the by the cemetery is three-person days per week ground. If removed, it will be necessary for a for a maintenance individual plus additional forensic anthropologist to ensure that no staff supervision. human remains are present in the root ball.

Continuity of staffing, appropriate training, Shrubbery is not common in the cemetery, but and careful supervision are additional critical where present care should be taken to respect elements in the long-term care and appearance this historic fabric and ensure its preservation. of the cemetery. All staff should achieve An arborvitae in the cemetery has been certification through one or more of several improperly pruned and cannot be renovated. It landscape programs, with an emphasis on now requires removal and replacement. turfgrass, ornamental plants, and maintenance. It is necessary to establish a turf grass in the Tree selection within the cemetery should be cemetery and we recommend a fescue. This focused on historically appropriate species, will require elimination of the existing weeds, such as eastern red cedar and bur oak. Species fertilization and pH adjustment, infilling of selected, however, should be evaluated to graves, seeding, and temporary above grade eliminate those with problems such as suckers, sprinkler lines. surface roots, inherent weakness, etc. We recommend the placement of a water line The trees in the cemetery require immediate along the pathway, with the placement of attention by an ISA Certified Arborist. Many Woodford (or equivalent) sanitary hydrants trees require pruning for either thinning or every 200 feet. This would allow for convenient stress watering as necessary. 65 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

The use of fescue will require mowing on a weekly basis, at a height of 2½ to 3½ inches during the spring and summer and 2½ inches in the fall and winter. Mowers no larger than a 58-inch deck should be used. All mowers used in the cemetery need to be equipped with closed cell foam padding.

The nylon trimmer line should be no thicker than .065-inch and the supervisor must ensure those using the equipment are properly trained and watched over to prevent damage to the stones.

We recommend the use of only organic, slow release fertilizers used on the cemetery grounds.

A weed control program using both pre- emergent and post-emergent herbicides will be necessary, at least initially to establish a good turf in the cemetery. Care must be exercised to minimize use of herbicides on or around the stones.

66

OTHER MAINTENANCE ISSUES

Signage Regulatory signage specifies laws, regulations, or expected standards of behavior. The District may be considering a The District should not assume that behind unified theme for signage on the new East government gates there is no need for signage – Campus as part of the current hospital the vandalism and damage seen during the mid construction. If so, then obviously the cemetery to late twentieth century should dispel such signage should conform to those requirements. notions. We recommend that the District develop signage dealing with, minimally, these It is, however, important that any issues (perhaps with some modifications of unified signage being proposed be used only language as might be needed): where essential and that the signage should not block, obscure, or detract from character • Many of the stones in this cemetery are defining features of historic resources. very old and may be easily damaged. Consequently, absolutely no gravestone From a cemetery preservation rubbings will be allowed. perspective signage is of four basic types: identification, regulatory, informational, and • Please refrain for leaning, sitting, or interpretative. They are generally recommended climbing on any monument. All in this same priority. children must be escorted by an adult.

Identification signage might include the • Absolutely no alcoholic beverages or name of the cemetery and might also include the fireworks are allowed in the cemetery. cemetery’s date of founding and historic Proper conduct is expected at all times. significance (i.e., listed on the National Register). Identification signage should be simple and • No pets are allowed in the cemetery. dignified. It should not attempt to tell the story – that should be reserved for separate and more • Flowers will be removed by the staff 10 discreet informational signage. days after holidays or when the arrangements become wilted and We note that very recent twentieth unsightly. century documents often refer to the property as the “John Howard Cemetery,” perhaps because • No plantings are allowed within the of its proximity to the John Howard Pavilion. cemetery and St. Elizabeths Hospital John Howard (1726-1790) was an English will enforce its right to remove any philanthropist and the first English prison plantings deemed inappropriate, reformer. While certainly due commemoration, diseased, or damaging the cemetery. he has no specific historic connection with the cemetery. We recommend that the cemetery • For additional information concerning retain its simple historic name – East Campus maintenance issues, please contact Cemetery. [individual and agency] at [phone number]. In case of emergency contact [phone number, likely 911].

67 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

Both identification and regulatory Finally, in 1873 Secretary of War signage should be located at the entrance to the William W. Belknap adopted the first design for cemetery, immediately outside its boundaries. government cemetery stones. For the known dead a slab 4-inches thick, 10-inches wide, and The last two types of signage are 12-inches in height above ground with a slightly informational (for example, historical curved top was standard. Known today as the information and directional signs) and “Civil War” type, it featured a sunken shield in interpretative (information on historic people which the inscription appeared in bas relief. This buried in the cemetery). inscription was limited to the rank, name, and name of the state. At national cemeteries there It is important that both types of signage was a control number carved on the stone (often be discreet and not allowed to overwhelm the on the back). historic character of the cemetery. In fact, it is often better (especially for a cemetery such as For unknown dead a 6-inch square this that has a very simply layout) to produce a block of marble was used intended to be set 4- brochure and map. Not only can this be carried inches above grade. On the top of the stone with visitors (and serve as a souvenir if nicely would be a number. produced), but it can be easily updated. In 1879 Congress authorized known Military Stones graves to be marked using the government stone in private cemeteries. The “Civil War” type was It may be useful to briefly recount the used not only for Civil War (Union forces only) history of government or military stones. Not dead, but also the deceased of the American only will this help readers better understand the Revolution, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, different types of stones present, but it will also the Indian Campaigns, and eventually the help ensure the long-term maintenance of the Spanish-American War. cemetery’s historic integrity and character. Initially the stones were provided by the The earliest markers were a wooden Cemetery Branch of the Office of the board with a rounded top and bearing a Quartermaster General—an office within the registration number and/or inscription. There War Department. With the information in hand was, however, no centralized system for from requesting parties, the government entered recording burials. This system was formalized into contracts with a number of private as a result of the Civil War with War companies, including S.G. Bridges; Gross Department General Order 75 creating the first Brothers (also given as W.H. Gross or W.H. & organized system of marking graves. It wasn’t, F.S. Gross), Lee, MA; Lee Marble Works, Lee, however, until 1865 – when the number of MA; William Mansen; Sheldon & Sons, West burials in national cemeteries approached Rutland, VT; Stockbridge Marble Co., MA; 100,000 – that the military began to realize that Vermont Marble Co., Proctor, VT; and D.W. wooden headboards presented significant Whitney. maintenance issues. The movement away from wood was not immediate and it engendered An early account suggests that the considerable controversy between those who bidding process was not fully transparent or favored marble and those who favored fair. One individual described S. G. Bridges (of galvanized iron (for research on the iron see Keokuk, Iowa) as, “a man of slight pecuniary http://www7.nationalacademies.org/archives/ responsibility, of no knowledge of the marble Galvanic_Action.html). business, never having been in it, a jeweler by

68 OTHER MAINTENANCE ISSUES

trade, and a friend of the Secretary [of War] A 1902 study of long-term durability (Anonymous 1876:687). resulted in the stones changing from 10-inches to 12-inches in width and the overall height of Very early on bids were split between a the stones was increased to 39 inches in 1903. number of firms, often with firms selling their The thickness remained at 4-inches. The use of successful bids to other firms. The result was not the stone blocks for marking unknown dead was always good for the government or the stones also terminated in 1903, with the graves from themselves. that point on marked with the same type of stone used for known dead (with an inscription In 1898 there were four competitors for such as “Unknown Union Soldier”). By 1904 the stones: D. Borgia, of New York City, who Congress also authorized the use of these stones bid $5 per stone on white Italian marble; the on civilian graves in post cemeteries. Stockbridge Marble Company, of West Stockbridge, MA on white marble at $1.35 a In 1906, Congress authorized the stone; Norcross Bros., of Worcester, MA for $3 a permanent marking of Confederate graves. stone; and the Vermont Marble Company, of These stones would be the same size as the other Proctor, VT, with a bid of $1.52 (Stone, October markers, but would be pointed rather than 1878, pg. 376 rounded, with the shield omitted. By 1929 these stones were also authorized by Congress for use An 1879 War Department report reveals in private cemeteries. In 1930, the War that Department modified regulations, allowing for the inscription of the Confederate Cross of Under the act of 3d of February, Honor in a small circle on the front face of the 1879, contracts for marking with stone above the standard inscription. marble headstones the graves of Union soldiers of the late war A new design was implemented after who have been buried in village WWI. Known as the “General” type, the top or private cemeteries have been remained slightly rounded, but was 13-inches in awarded to the lowest bidders width and 4-inches thick. These stones were 42- who complied with the inches in length. The inscription would include conditions of the advertisement the name, rank, regiment, division, date of by giving sufficient security. death, and state from which he came. In addition, for the first time a religious emblem D. W. Whitney is the contractor (limited to the Late Cross for Christians and the for the greater portion of the Star of David for Jews) was adopted for use on work, at prices from $1.09 to the government headstones. $2.38 each grave, according to distance from quarry and Granite was approved in 1941, but difficulty of access. For the discontinued in 1947 because of their cost remainder of the work S. G. (upright granite markers were re-introduced in Bridges was the successful 1994). Flat markers were approved in marble in bidder, at $2.25 for graves in the 1936, granite in 1939, and flat bronze in 1940. State of Ohio, and $2.00 for all These flat markers are 24-inches in length, 12- others not awarded to Whitney. inches in width, and 4-inches in depth (with the It is estimated that the average exception of the bronze markers that are only cost of the headstones will be 3/16-inch in thickness) with engraved $2.28 each, set up in place inscriptions (cast for bronze markers). The date (Secretary of War 1879:230). of birth was authorized in 1944 and after the war

69 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

ended, WWI or WWII was authorized as part of these heavier stones were introduced is not the inscription. Korea was added in 1951 (and known. Both style markers are clearly shown by revised in 1954), Vietnam was added in 1964, Figure 19. Taken in 1897, this photo indicates Lebanon and Grenada were added in 1983, that the thin style must have been rather quickly Panama and Persian Gulf were added in 1989, discontinued. and Somalia was added in 1992. Today a total of 39 different religious symbols may be added to a Figure 44 shows several examples of government marker. both stones styles. Of particular note is that many of these stones, regardless of their style, The historical sunken shield or “Civil are suffering from extensive erosion. War” style was only recently re-introduced (having been replaced by a far more modern While the VA (National Cemetery inscribed shield style that was historically Administration) provides replacement markers inappropriate and detracting from historic with a sunken shield and a bas relief inscription, cemeteries). Style “XA” is 12-inches wide, while these stones are 12-inches in width and 4-inches style “XB” is 13-inches wide. Both are 3-inches thick (the “XA” replacement). Thus, while thick and 42-inches in height. Thus, while they similar, they are not good matches to the historic are not perfect matches for the historic stones, fabric. they come very close and are a far better choice for replacements than the General style when Consequently, every reasonable effort necessary. should be made to maintain and preserve the original stones in the cemetery and replacement The East Campus Cemetery should be ordered only when conservation treatments will not satisfactorily maintain the Previous work at the West Campus stone. Cemetery found some variation in the stones supplied early on by the government. For Flowers and Other Grave Decorations example, while the nominal width of 1873-1902 “Civil War” type stones was 10-inches, we There are currently no flower found that stones varied from 8 to 10¾ inches. regulations for the East Campus Cemetery. Curiously, none of the stones come close to the Historically this has not been an issue since the government’s contracted 4-inch thickness – their cemetery has had very low visitation. With the thickness varied from 1½ to 2¼ inches (Trinkley development of the National Consumer and Hacker 2007). Memorial and the efforts to restore the cemetery, it is likely that visitation will increase. With that Although we don’t have this sort of increased visitation there may be an increased detailed dimensional information for the East need to deal with the length of time that flower Campus Cemetery, we do know that at least two arrangements are allowed to remain on graves. general styles are present. Without regulations, arrangements left for months detract from the dignity and beauty of The first are thin stones – similar to the cemetery and promote additional trash those in the West Campus Cemetery – that have problems. the grave number engraved at the top of the shield. We estimate that there are approximately We recommend that the hospital adopt 147 of these stones, found in the first sections a flower policy that will minimize maintenance and representing the earliest burials. This style problems. was replaced by the more conventional (i.e., thicker and wider) style, although the date that

70 OTHER MAINTENANCE ISSUES

Figure 44. Examples of Civil War style government stones at the East Campus Cemetery. The top row illustrates the thin, numbered style. The bottom row illustrates the more common 4-inch thick style.

71 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

First, as previously recommended, we control the proliferation on the grounds by the believe that all flowers or arrangements should potential hazard to workers – a legitimate be removed by the cemetery staff 10 days after concern considering the use of mowers and holidays or when the arrangements become trimmers on a routine basis. unsightly. This will allow staff to remove faded flowers, Christmas decorations after the Many cemeteries enact provisions that holidays, and so forth. allow staff to remove such objects (“temporary objects”) when they become withered, Floral policies are common at unsightly, or an obstruction to maintenance. cemeteries. National cemeteries have relatively Other cemeteries exclude all objects made of constrained policies: concrete, glass, plastic, fiberglass, metal, ceramic, and wood, again with the justification • Natural cut flowers may be used of safety. throughout the year and “will be removed when they become unsightly.” Although this is not currently a problem • Artificial flowers may be used only from at the East Campus Cemetery, we encourage October 10 through March 15 (when cut cemeteries to enact suitable provisions when flowers are often not widely available). there is time for consideration and it doesn’t • Potted plants are allowed only from 10 appear the rule is directed at a specific days before and 10 days following individual. Easter Sunday. • Memorial decorations will be removed 7 Trash days after the holiday. • Christmas decorations are permitted The cemetery suffered from its only during the season and will be proximity to an apartment complex, now closed, removed no later than January 10. that offered public housing. Combined with an inadequate fence and lapsed maintenance Many cemeteries also are beginning to practices, this resulted in the accumulation of a also struggle with the public loading graves great deal of trash along the northern fence line with personal items. This problem is not unique (Figure 45). Trash, however, is not limited to the to the United States, but has also been fence line; alcohol containers and other debris documented in Great Britain, where solar- were found throughout the cemetery. Some of powered lights, statues and windmills have this trash (as shown in Figure 45) is very recent – appeared. indicating that the cemetery continues to have issues with security. Some cemeteries have established rules based entirely on appearances. At times these The control of trash – like vandalism – are intentionally vague, for instance referring to must be multi-faceted. First, all trash in the “adornments considered offensive or otherwise cemetery must be collected and removed. inconsistent with the dignity of the cemetery.” Second, a program must be instituted that In other cases a fairly detailed list of involves trash collection on at least a weekly objectionable items has been devised: “Toys, basis (and better on a daily basis). Third, it is stuffed or otherwise manufactured or equally critical that the cemetery have an sculptured animals, statues or statuettes, appropriate high security fence to stop access by personal items and/or other unsightly objects.” outside individuals. These three steps are critical and should be instituted by the hospital Although aesthetics may reasonably be immediately. considered to suffer, most cemeteries attempt to

72 OTHER MAINTENANCE ISSUES

Figure 45. Trash problems in the East Campus Cemetery. The top photo illustrates the thick accumulation of trash along the north boundary fence. The bottom photo illustrates a recently discarded alcohol container inside the cemetery – indicating that the hospital still has issues with trespassers.

73 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

The National Consumer Memorial envisioned as a remembrance could easily become a burden, soon to be overlooked. We have made occasional reference to the National Consumer Memorial proposed for Recommendations St. Elizabeths East Campus Cemetery (see http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?p Signage may be unified to fit that proposed for agename=advocacy_recovered_dignity for the newly developed hospital campus, but it additional information). This is a worthwhile should not block, obscure, or detract from project and it will certainly be a fitting honor for character defining features of the cemetery. the hundreds of patients (today called consumers) buried at St. Elizabeths. The cemetery should receive identification signage. The historic name – St. Elizabeths East While it is perhaps appropriate to Campus Cemetery – should be retained. assume that such a memorial will work to help ensure the preservation of the East Campus Regulatory signage is critical at the entrance to Cemetery, it is nonetheless critical to ensure that the cemetery. It should minimally deal with proper care of the monuments, prohibiting the proposed plans are not allowed to rubbings and warning visitors of their fragile overshadow the immediate needs of the East condition; it should clearly state the hours the Campus Cemetery: removal of vegetation and cemetery is open; it should prohibit certain trash, repair of damaged stones, improved behaviors and actions, such as use of alcoholic fencing, and development of an appropriate beverages; it should established simple turf. In fact, we imagine that all of these guidelines for plantings, as well as the recommendations will be seen as critical for the placement and removal of floral and grave National Consumer Memorial. decorations; and it should include contact and emergency information. The memorial itself should not be allowed to drastically alter the historic Informational and interpretative signage might landscape or the historic context of St. overwhelm the otherwise very simple Elizabeths. It is important to realize that this cemetery. It may be better to develop a cemetery, as part of the east campus, is listed on brochure than to install additional signage. the National Register of Historic Places. It is Additional information could be included critical that any plans for the memorial be concerning the cemetery in the hospital sensitive and respectful of the cemetery. website.

It is important also to also examine all of It is impossible to replace damaged the proposed undertakings in the context of government stones with exact matches. While what they will add to the maintenance needs of the currently available National Cemetery the cemetery. Too often projects – and especially Administration’s “XA” stone should be used if their funding – are envisioned in the context of replacements are necessary, every effort should immediate improvements. The long-term be made to maintain the historic fabric. consequences are often overlooked. If this were to happen at St. Elizabeths the cemetery would The hospital should establish flower suffer. We have consistently outlined needs for regulations for its cemeteries that maintain the maintenance improvement. Without, for dignity of the cemetery and allow reasonable example, additional dedicated staff for the care maintenance. Seasonal displays, flowers, and of the cemetery, the presentation of the National plants should not remain on graves once they Consumer Memorial will suffer. What was have died. St. Elizabeths should limit flowers on graves to a maximum of 10 days.

74 OTHER MAINTENANCE ISSUES

Regulations should also be enacted prohibiting “temporary objects” on the graves.

Trash is a problem along the northern fence. The cemetery requires a greater frequency of inspection and trash collection. It is also essential that a high security fence be erected as soon as possible.

The proposed National Consumers Memorial at St. Elizabeths should not be allowed to drastically alter the historic landscape or the historic context of the cemetery – which is listed on the National Register of Historic

Places.

The National Consumers Memorial will require a heightened level of maintenance and funds for these on-going, perpetual maintenance needs must be identified and dedicated to the cemetery.

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76

CONSERVATION ISSUES

What is Conservation? In contrast, conservation can be defined as preservation from loss, depletion, waste, or Conservation is not restoration. harm. Conservation seeks to limit natural Restoration means, very simply, making deterioration. something “like new.” Restoration implies dramatic changes of the historic fabric, including Conservation will respect the historic the elimination of fabric that does not “fit” the fabric, examine the variety of options available, current “restoration plan.” Restoration is and select those that pose the least potential inherently destructive of patina and what makes threat to the property. Conservation will ensure a property historic in the first place. The complete documentation, whether it is of “restorer” of a property will know nothing of cleaning, painting, or repair. Conservation will the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for ensure that the work done today does not affect Preservation and care even less. our ability to treat the object tomorrow.

One of the most important early Standard for Conservation Work writings was that of nineteenth century art critic and observer John Ruskin. In The Seven Lamps of As Ruskin stated, the District of Architecture published in 1849 and in particular, Columbia’s St. Elizabeths Hospital is the “The Lamp of Memory,” Ruskin introduces us steward of this cemetery, holding what to the issue of trusteeship where he explains, belonged to past generations in trust for future generations. As such the District and the it is again no question of hospital bear a great responsibility for ensuring expediency or feeling whether that no harm comes to the property during its we shall preserve the buildings watch. of past times or not. We have no right whatever to touch them. One way to ensure the long-term They are not ours. They belong preservation of this property is to ensure that all partly to those who built them, work meets or exceeds the Secretary of the and partly to all the generations Interior’s Standards for Preservation, discussed of mankind who are to follow on pages 2-4 of this study. us. Another critical requirement is that the Ruskin also crisply stated the difference between hospital ensure that any work performed in the restoration and repair, noting that “restoration” cemetery – whether it involves the cleaning of a means, stone, the repair or replacement of a government stone, or the reconstruction of a heavily damage the most total destruction which monument, is conducted by a trained a building can suffer: a conservator who subscribes to the Standards of destruction out of which no Practice and Code of Ethics of the American remnants can be gathered: a Institute for Conservation of Historic and destruction accompanied with Artistic Works (AIC). false description of the thing destroyed. These Standards cover such issues as: 77 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

• Do no harm. When considering the government • Respect the original fabric and issued stones, St. Elizabeths can reasonably retain as much as possible – don’t expect the question to be asked, “Why not replace it needlessly. simply replace the damaged stones?” The • Choose the gentlest and least Veterans Administration offers free invasive methods possible. replacements. • Is the treatment reversible? Is retreatment possible? There is certainly an obligation to • Don’t use a chemical without ensure that a veteran’s grave is appropriately understanding its affect on the marked and honored. This requires that the object and future treatments. stone be intact, appropriately set, and legible. • Don’t falsify the object by using But, as previously explained, St. Elizabeths is designs or materials that imply the also a historic site and, being listed on the artifact is older than it is. National Register of Historic Places, the District • Replication and repairs should be must also ensure that the Secretary of the identified as modern so that future Interior’s Standards be closely followed. researchers are not misled. • Use methods and materials that do We believe that complying with both not impede future investigation. mandates, while not simple, is possible. Historic • Document all conservation activities fabric – the original government stones – should – and ensure that documentation is be preserved wherever possible. This means, for available. example, if they are broken but can be repaired – • Use preventative methods they should be. The original historic fabric whenever possible – be proactive, should not be replaced simply because it is not reactive. expedient or less costly to do so.

The AIC Code of Conduct also requires On the other hand, where the original a professional conservator provide clients with a monument can no longer serve its original written, detailed treatment proposal prior to function – to mark the grave of a veteran who undertaking any repairs; once repairs or service his or her country with honor and treatments are completed, the conservator must dignity – then the monument should be retired provide the client with a written, detailed and replaced. Monuments must not be allowed treatment report that specifies precisely what to become nothing more than “fabric” or was done and the materials used. The artifacts – they are, after all, also memorials. conservator must ensure the suitability of materials and methods – judging and evaluating Broken Stones the multitude of possible treatment options to arrive at the best recommendation for a There are numerous examples of broken particular object. stones. Many of these stones should receive a high priority for conservation treatments since General Types of Stone Damage the stones are on the ground and subject to additional damage, increasing the eventual cost Although a stone-by-stone assessment of appropriate repair. was not included in this assessment, it is possible to provide some general observations In most cases gravestones are fragile concerning the types of problems faced by the and their repair is delicate work. There are many East Campus Cemetery. commercial products on the market, used by many commercial stone companies, which are 78 CONSERVATION ISSUES

Figure 46. Types of stone repair issues at the East Campus Cemetery. The top row illustrates a civilian and military marker that both require blind pin repair. The left middle photo shows a thin military stone that should be repaired rather than replaced. The right middle photo shows a stone requiring resetting. The lower left photo shows a government stone that requires resetting. The lower right photo shows a stone that requires resetting, as well as consolidation to prevent additional spalling and sugaring of the marble.

79 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

inappropriate for (and often damaging to) simple dignity and respect. Thus, while strict historic stone. uniformity is not necessary, all stones should be straight and aligned to the eye. Appropriate conservation treatment will usually involve drilling and pinning, carefully Monuments should never be reset using aligning the two fragments. Threaded 316 concrete, but rather should be set in pea gravel. stainless steel rod (or occasionally fiberglass) This approach allows the stone some movement and epoxy adhesives formulated for the specific should it be accidentally impacted by lawn stone are used in this type of repair. Diameters maintenance activities. The pea gravel will also and lengths of pins vary with the individual promote drainage away from the stone, helping application, depending on the nature of the the stone resist the uptake of soluble salts. break, the thickness of the stone, its condition, and its expected post-repair treatment. While resetting can be quickly accomplished by a conservator, it is also a task Afterwards it is often necessary to that volunteers can perform with minimal replace lost fabric. Suitable materials include a training. The exception are larger stones that variety of Jahn products (for example, M120 for require drilling and pinning for stability. marble). Infill should be compatible with the substrate, be vapor permeable, and contain no Consolidation latex or acrylic bonding agents or additives. Many of the stones are “sugaring.” This Sometimes pins are not used in a is severe surface softening and disaggregation of misguided or misinformed effort to save time the calcite particles. It occurs as the binding and money. Instead the pieces are simply joined holding the particles together is removed by using a continuous bead of epoxy or some other environmental factors such as acid rain and adhesive. Experience indicates that for a long- pollutants. lasting repair, particularly in structural applications, use of pins is necessary. Moreover, Typical treatment for this problem most adhesives are far stronger than the stone involves a process conservators term itself, meaning that failure of the repair is likely consolidation. There is much controversy to cause additional damage to the stone. concerning consolidation with those questioning the appropriateness of the procedure noting that Tilting and Simple Resets the process has a relatively short history. They are also concerned that the use of consolidants Throughout the cemetery we observed may limit future treatment. Those favoring seriously leaning stones. When this occurs to consolidation note that there are a variety of headstones, the tilt may be sufficient to studies showing efficacy of the treatment. precipitate a ground break, dramatically increasing the cost of repair. For other Studies have shown that consolidants monuments the tilt may be sufficient to cause tend to weather out within 10-15 years, perhaps the monument to fail and, in the process, there minimizing the concern over reversibility. On may be additional damage, or it may fall on a the other hand, at least one researcher is cemetery visitor. suggesting that the by-products left behind during that weathering process may preclude There should be a special effort to future consolidation treatment. This work, maintain the appearance of government stones. however, is not published and has not been While St. Elizabeths is not a national cemetery, formally peer reviewed. this does not dismiss the need to maintain

80 CONSERVATION ISSUES

Our view is that consolidation is an of Columbia. Thus only HCT may be used on appropriate treatment when the monument is in the stones at the East Campus Cemetery. such an advanced state of deterioration that it has little chance for survival for an additional Ferrous Pins decade. In such cases, it seems worth both the cost and time to provide some additional At least one stone was observed with protection in the hope that during the next ferrous pins and this stone should be given a decade additional research will point to high treatment priority since, left untreated, the alternative treatments. corrosion will cause significant spalling, cracking, and breakage of the stones. In these The typical treatment consists of using cases it will be necessary to use diamond core the Prosoco product HCT following by the use drills to remove the ferrous pins. They will then of Prosoco’s OH100. HCT is a hydroxylating need to be replaced with stainless steel pins. conversion treatment intended for marble and limestone. It forms a stable, well-adhered, After any such repairs it will be hydroxylated, conversion layer on carbonate necessary to fill the voids with a natural mineral grains. This conversion layer cementitious composite stone material dramatically increases the resistance of marble resembling the original as closely as possible in and limestone surfaces to acid attack, and texture, color, porosity, and strength. This type improves the ability of a variety of chemical of repair may be used to fill gaps or losses in compositions to react with or bond to such marble and is often used to help slow scaling of surfaces. It prepares the stone for effective bedded sandstone exposed to the elements. consolidation, improves resistance to acid-rain, and strengthens sugaring stone. It is applied as Estimated Conservation Needs three sprays to the point of rejection, followed by a finishing rinse also applied to the point of Table 7 lists the approximate number of rejection following the manufacturer’s stones per section that require conservation recommendations. treatment, as well as the type of treatment recommended. In contrast, OH100 is a silicic ethyl ester Although many of Table 7. the names can no longer be Estimated Conservation Needs identified for those graves

Section with missing stones, it is still Treatment 12368912131415161718Totals appropriate to place markers Resetting 62151021347 2263 117 with the standard, Blind Pin Repair4121 1 1 10 Replacement Stones 29 13 8 1 6 4 2 13 76 “Unknown U.S. Soldier.” This provides a very that replaces natural binding material lost to powerful visual impression, weathering. It can be used on sandstone, marble, as well as ensuring at all military graves are slate, and granite, although it is most commonly appropriately marked. used on the first two. Typical treatments involve two or three cycles (6-9 separate applications) We do not recommend the marking of per the manufacturer’s recommendations. civilian patient graves since they were not marked originally. In their case we believe the Unfortunately, OH100 does not conform absence of markers provides a most compelling with the limitations on VOC content for possible statement. architectural coatings implemented the District

81 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

Cleaning of Monuments Table 8. Comparison of Different Cleaning Techniques A significant amount of damage may result from Cleaning Technique Potential Harm to Stone Health/Safety Issues inappropriate cleaning Sand Blasting Erodes stone; highly Exposure to marble dust abrasive; will destroy detail is a source of the fatal techniques. The most common and lettering over time. lung disease silicosis. cleaning technique is the use of a Pressure Washers High pressure abrades None, unless chemicals bleach product – probably stone. This can be are added or high because bleach (either sodium exacerbated by temperature water is inexperienced users. used. hypochlorite or calcium Pressures should not hypochlorite) is widely available exceed 90 psi. and inexpensive. It is, Acid Cleaning Creates an unnatural Acids are highly nevertheless, unacceptable for surface on the stone; corrosive, requiring historic monuments since it deposits iron compounds personal protective that will stain the stone; equipment under creates an artificially white deposits soluble salts that mandatory OSHA laws; marble and, over time, will damage the stone. may kill grass and surrounding vegetation. cause erosion and yellowing of the stone. Sodium Will form soluble salts, Respiratory irritant; can Hypochlorite & which will reappear as cause eye injury; strong Calcium whitish efflorescence; can oxidizer; can decompose Table 8 discusses Hypochlorite cause yellowing; some salts to hazardous gasses. problems with a variety of (household and are acidic. swimming pool “common” stone cleaning bleach) processes widely used by Hydrogen Peroxide Often causes distinctive Severe skin and eye commercial firms and the public. reddish discolorations; will irritant. Cleaning is largely an aesthetic etch polished marble and issue – we saw few examples limestone. where soil or biologicals were Ammonium Repeated use may lead to Respiratory, skin, and actually causing damage to the Hydroxide discoloration through eye irritant. precipitation of monuments. hydroxides.

D/2 Architectural No known adverse effects, No special precautions The safest product for Antimicrobial has been in use for nearly required for use, cleaning is simply low pressure 10 years. handling, or storage. (less than 90 psi) water and a soft bristle brush. When some other assistance is There are some treatments, such as the needed, a product that has been found safe for approximately 117 stones to be reset, that can most stones is D/2 Architectural Anti-microbial be undertaken by volunteers or hospital staff distributed by Cathedral Stone. with training and oversight.

Recommendations There are about 10 stones that require repair by drilling the stone for insertion of stainless steel All work in the cemetery should be conducted rods. These repairs should only be conducted by trained conservators who subscribe to the by a conservator. Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the American Institute for Conservation of The hospital should strictly limit replacement Historic and Artistic Works (AIC). This should of historic fabric and require that all such be the minimum level of competency required modifications receive approval. There are, by the District on all projects. however, about 76 missing stones that require replacement using the “XA” style stone inscribed, “Unknown U.S. Soldier.” 82 CONSERVATION ISSUES

Cleaning is a low priority, but when undertaken should be conducted in a manner that does not endanger the stone or eliminate the stone’s patina.

83 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

84

RECOMMENDATIONS AND FUNDING

With limited funds it is often critical that determined using Means Site Work and organizations establish priorities for cemetery Landscape Cost Data. All estimates are 2009$. conservation/preservation projects, ensuring We are not, however, construction estimators that the most essential issues are dealt with first. and strongly recommend that local costs be There are different methods for assigning evaluated since there may be significant priorities; here we have simply organized the differences. recommendations in a logical progression. A few tasks could not be assigned a cost Our first priority tasks include essential since we do not have adequate information to policy and planning issues upon which future allow a sound judgment to be made. Other costs actions are based. First priority issues also are assigned a value of “n/c” (no cost) since the include issues that we believe are essential for activity is one that could be undertaken by the the long-term preservation of the cemetery. current in-house staff. Some “n/c” tasks can also Some of these are associated with planning for be reasonably be undertaken by volunteers. the National Consumer Memorial. It is essential that those plans do not “get ahead of” To implement the recommendations we preservation concerns. With careful planning, offer will entail budgeting of at least $379,400 the goal of the consumer groups can be easily spread over the next five years. We integrated into the overall preservation needs of acknowledge that this is a very large sum, but the cemetery. We recommend that these first caution that the central problem is that the St. priority issues be resolved (either budgeted, Elizabeths Hospital has, for decades, deferred accepted, approved, or accomplished) within the these costs, creating cumulative problems and current fiscal or calendar year based on their significant declines in the cemetery’s condition. importance to the cemetery. Portions of the cemetery were abandoned to vegetation, the surrounding fence was allowed Second priority tasks are those that we to become tattered and breached, stones were recognize will take several years to accomplish. vandalized and displaced, and drains received Many build upon the planning initiated by first no maintenance. priority tasks. Others involve what we recognize will be construction activities for the National Any effort to create a National Consumers Memorial that may be one or two Consumers Memorial demands that these years out. Consequently, we recommend that problems be corrected and that a long-term these second priority items be resolved during maintenance plan be developed. 2010 or 2011. First Priority Tasks The third priority tasks are those that can be spread over the next five years, through The cost of the first priority tasks at the 2013. cemetery is at least $149,000. The majority of this amount – $115,000 – represents funding a The costs are based on the best replacement fence for the cemetery. This is a information available at this time. Some are critical step – both for the safety of cemetery derived from previous projects; others are visitors and also to ensure that investments in

85 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

the cemetery are not degraded through allocated to the seeding of approximately 6 acres vandalism and trespass. While the level of and overseeding of about 3 additional acres. At security to the south, as well as the east and the present time there is no turf in the cemetery west, need be no higher than a standard and the failure to create one will dramatically industrial quality fence (for long-term, low- degrade the property’s appearance. Perhaps maintenance service), the northern boundary more importantly, without a maintainable turf, requires a high security fence which is more the hospital will be fighting a losing battle in costly because of its special provisions. trying to maintain the overall appearance of the property. In addition, we can’t imagine any sort Another critical first step is having all of meaningful consumer memorial without at trees in the cemetery evaluated and pruned by least a rough turf (which is all that we are an ISA certified arborist – estimated to cost proposing). $15,000. The trees are an essential aspect of the landscape and they must not be allowed to The seeding will require at least a further deteriorate. temporary above grade water supply, which is included in our cost estimate. However, a A third significant cost is the longer-term view suggests that a permanent transcription of the remaining markers in order water line, running along the central pathway to allow planning (such as acquiring across the site, would be an excellent replacement markers) to proceed. This has investment. It could not only serve the already been funded by the hospital and is in immediate needs of establishing a turf, but progress. would provide the ability to spot water the cemetery as needed. The cost of a permanent Other costs include completion of line is estimated to be about $7,800. vegetation clearing ($6,000), development of a vandalism reporting program ($1,000), and The next largest cost involves the replacement of an arborvitae ($300). resetting of about 117 stones, replacement of about 76 missing stones, and repair of at least 10 The other first priority tasks require others, at a cost of $41,900. This task, like the changes in administrative or maintenance turf, is critical for the overall appearance of the policy, or can be accomplished with existing cemetery – as well as for the respect owed to staff. Although these are not assigned a dollar those who served our country. amount the hospital should not assume they are less significant or less critical to the cemetery’s With the establishment of a turf, there preservation. In fact, they are of equal will be associated needs, including an estimated importance since they affect how the cemetery $10,000 a year for pre- and post-emergent weed will be perceived and dealt with in the long- control. These costs will continue at least until term. the turf has become established.

Second Priority Tasks Prior to the establishment of the turf, we recommend that the remaining asphalt roads in These tasks have a combined cost of the cemetery be removed. This cost is estimated $204,500 and are intended to be spread over to be about $4,600 including removal of the years two and three (perhaps with allocated debris and preparing the area for seeding. funding of approximately $100,000 per year). Another maintenance task is inspection While there are a number of tasks, the – and cleaning, if necessary – of the cemetery single largest is approximately $120,000 drains. This is estimated to cost about $2,200.

86 RECOMMENDATIONS AND FUNDING

Ongoing costs will include about $3,000 priority and is also a task that may be adopted a year for tree inspection and maintenance by an by an outside group, such as the Sons of ISA certified arborist. There will be additional Confederate Veterans or Daughters of the ongoing maintenance costs associated with the Confederacy although there are public relations National Consumer Memorial. These costs issues that must be considered prior to such an should be carefully identified and the consumer effort. Regardless, these graves were historically groups should ensure that the maintenance costs marked by iron crosses and we recommend that are adequately funded. similar devices be used to maintain the historic context of the cemetery. Shifting away from maintenance and looking at interpretation, we recommend about We have recommended that the $15,000 for additional research on those buried cemetery requires a dedicated staff person 3- in the cemetery, including the Native days a week, plus supervisory time. We assign Americans. no annual cost to this, but estimate that this cost is reasonably $20,700 a year before fringe Third Priority Tasks benefits. This is an ongoing expense and should be added to the list of recurring expenditures. The estimate for these third priority tasks, completed by 2013, have a cost of $25,900. Also not included in the cost assessment This, however, is probably low and almost is the additional maintenance cost of the certainly additional costs will present National Consumers Monument. It is critical themselves. that the hospital and the monument committee realize that such costs exist and must be The largest sum – $12,000 – involves the budgeted. Indeed, some part of the cemetery creation of an informational brochure for the upkeep is legitimately attributable to the cemetery. This brochure should include the National Consumers Monument since it is cemetery history (based on the recommended thought that visitation to the cemetery (and thus research), cemetery regulations, and information wear and tear, as well as level of care concerning some of those (as either groups or anticipated) will increase as a result of the individuals) buried in the cemetery. monument.

The brochure, however, does not We know of no way to calculate this eliminate the need for signage and we allocate cost statistically; therefore, it may be an issue for about $6,000 for identification and regulatory negotiation. Nevertheless, the funding must be signage. provided to ensure that the cemetery and monument do not decline in appearance. The final budgeted amount of $1,000 involves placing grates on the cemetery drains.

Other Costs

The only source we have identified capable and willing to recast replacement Confederate markers is Robinson Iron Works in Alexander City, Alabama. The cost of making the pattern, green sand casting in Class 30 gray iron, application of an epoxy primer, and delivery is $230 per marker. This is a third

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Table 9. Prioritization of Recommendations

Priority Task Cost First – this fiscal 1.1 All decisions regarding modifications, alterations, additions, or other actions affecting n/c or calendar year the East Campus cemetery should be carefully evaluated against the Secretary of the (administrative policy) Interior’s Standards for Preservation.

1.2 The remaining historic fabric and context of the cemetery should be protected. In n/c particular existing intrusive elements should be removed, buffered, or minimized where (administrative policy) possible; new intrusive features should be prevented.

1.3 The redevelopment plan for the East Campus does not adequately or appropriately n/c consider primary or secondary impacts to the cemetery. We minimally recommend a (lobby effort & substantial setback at the west edge of the cemetery, that visual screening be used to coordination with DC eliminate visual intrusion, that steps be taken to minimize noise intrusion, and that the SHPO) proposed building height be reduced from the proposed 6 to 8 stories to no higher than 3 stories.

1.4 Much of the cemetery’s character derives from the solitude, simple design, and n/c undulating topography. These elements have particular importance and should be (planning policy) closely guarded.

1.5 For the historical documentation to be correlated with the cemetery markers, it is $11,700 critical that the markers themselves be transcribed and verified. This should be a high (in progress) priority for the cemetery’s overall preservation efforts.

1.6 No lighting should be introduced into the cemetery. Such lighting is out of character, n/c damages the historic setting, and creates a visual intrusion. (administrative policy)

1.7 It is essential that the St. Elizabeths security force routinely patrol the cemetery. n/c Special attention should be paid to weekends and holidays. (existing staff & contract)

1.8 The maintenance staff should walk through the cemetery on a daily basis, noting any n/c damage or problems. (existing staff)

1.9 There should develop a policy for identifying, reporting, and responding to damage, $1,000 vandalism, and theft within the cemetery.

1.10 All vandalism or other problems in the cemetery should be, as a matter of routine n/c practice, reported to the DC police for investigation. (administrative policy)

1.11 A critical first step is to remove the remaining volunteer growth on the cemetery. $6,000 This includes completely clearing fence lines, cutting all stumps to grade, and applying an herbicide to prevent the regrowth of this vegetation.

1.12 Care must be taken to prevent damage to stones, trees, or other non-target n/c vegetation during the cleaning process. (existing staff)

1.13 The trees in the cemetery require immediate attention by an ISA Certified Arborist. $15,000 Many trees require pruning for either thinning or cleaning. All pruning should follow the requirements of ANSI A300 (Part 1) - 2001 standards. The pruning should be conducted by or supervised by ISA Certified Arborists. This initial inspection should also determine which trees should be removed (and replaced), as well as develop specifications for and oversee a fertilization program.

1.14 Tree selection within the cemetery should be focused on historically appropriate n/c species, such as eastern red cedar and bur oak. Species selected, however, should be (maintenance policy) evaluated to eliminate those with problems such as suckers, surface roots, inherent weakness, etc.

1.15 Shrubbery is not common in the cemetery, but where present care should be taken to n/c respect this historic fabric and ensure its preservation. (maintenance policy)

88 RECOMMENDATIONS AND FUNDING

Table 9, cont.

Prioritization of Recommendations

Priority Task Cost First – this fiscal 1.16 An arborvitae in the cemetery has been improperly pruned and cannot be renovated. $300 or calendar year, It now requires removal and replacement. cont. 1.17 Signage may be unified to fit that proposed for the newly developed hospital n/c campus, but it should not block, obscure, or detract from character defining features of (planning policy) the cemetery.

1.18 The hospital should establish flower regulations for its cemeteries that maintain the n/c dignity of the cemetery and allow reasonable maintenance. Seasonal displays, flowers, (maintenance policy) and plants should not remain on graves once they have died. St. Elizabeths should limit flowers on graves to a maximum of 10 days. Regulations should also be enacted prohibiting “temporary objects” on the graves.

1.19 Trash is a problem along the northern fence. The cemetery requires a greater n/c frequency of inspection and trash collection. (existing staff)

1.20 The cemetery requires replacement of its existing fence. We recommend the $115,000 installation of a high security fence on the north, east, and west sides, with either an industrial fence or historic wood picket fence on the south side. The number of gates should be minimized and the gate on Robinson Place should be eliminated.

1.21 The proposed National Consumers Memorial at St. Elizabeths should not be allowed n/c to drastically alter the historic landscape or the historic context of the cemetery – which is (administrative policy) listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

1.22 The National Consumers Memorial will also require a heightened level of undetermined maintenance and funds for these on-going, perpetual maintenance needs must be identified and dedicated to the cemetery.

1.23 All work on grave markers should be conducted by trained conservators who n/c subscribe to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the American Institute for (administrative policy) Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC). This should be the minimum level of competency required by the District on all projects.

Second – over 2.1 We recommend additional historical research for the East Campus Cemetery $10,000 next 2 to 3 years following two broad lines of research: examination of National Archives RG418 for information specific to the development and operation of the cemetery and examination of National Archives RG92 for information on the stones requested by St. Elizabeths for their military burials.

2.2 Further research should be conducted on the Native American burials at St. $5,000 Elizabeths. An effort should be made to reach out to the Native American community and encourage medicine men and tribal elders to visit the graves – this may include such traditional practices as burning sage and tobacco at the graves.

2.3 Steps must be taken to allow visitation to the cemetery (such as the National n/c Consumer Memorial). Parking, however, should be shielded and not allowed to visually (cost borne by consumer intrude on the cemetery landscape. memorial)

2.4 The existing asphalt roads should be removed, soil compaction reduced, and the area $4,600 grassed.

2.5 The rear entrance into the cemetery, off Robinson Place, should be permanently n/c closed. The curb cut should be removed and the gate removed (or locked). (DC Street Dept.)

2.6 The pathway should accurately trace the primary north-south and central east-west n/c pathways in the cemetery, including the three ovals. Pathways widths should conform as (cost borne by consumer closely as possible to the original design. memorial)

89 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

Table 9, cont. Prioritization of Recommendations

Priority Task Cost Second – over 2.7 Archaeological investigations will be necessary where the path crosses the sexton’s n/c next 2 to 3 years, cottage. This is of special importance since the cottage is thought to have had a cellar and (cost borne by consumer cont. this may be filled with archaeological materials. memorial)

2.8 Pathway design should ensure ADA compliance. This includes access to the cemetery n/c from the parking area. (cost borne by consumer memorial)

2. 9 The cemetery drains require yearly inspections and cleaning – this task should be $2,200 added to routine maintenance operations.

2.10 The absolute minimum level of staff required by the cemetery is three-person days not determined per week for a maintenance individual plus additional staff supervision.

2.11 Continuity of staffing, appropriate training, and careful supervision are additional n/c critical elements in the long-term care and appearance of the cemetery. All staff should achieve certification through one or more of several landscape programs, with an emphasis on turfgrass, ornamental plants, and maintenance.

2.12 In the future, all cemetery trees should be evaluated and pruned at least once every 5 $3,000/year years by an ISA Certified Arborist. A knowledgeable staff person should inspect the trees on a yearly basis and after any storm with winds in excess of 55 mph.

2.13 Trees that require removal should be cut as close to the ground as possible. Stumps n/c should not be ground, but allowed to decompose naturally. The resulting hole should be (maintenance policy) periodically filled in.

2.14 Trees that have been blown down by the wind, taking up part of their root balls, n/c require the stump to be cut to grade. The root ball must then be either removed or (maintenance policy) replaced in the ground. If removed, it will be necessary for a forensic anthropologist to ensure that no human remains are present in the root ball.

2.15 It is necessary to establish a turf grass in the cemetery and we recommend a fescue. $120,000 This will require elimination of the existing weeds, fertilization and pH adjustment, seeding, and temporary above grade sprinkler lines.

2.16 We recommend the placement of a water line along the pathway, with the placement $7,800 of Woodford (or equivalent) sanitary hydrants every 200 feet. This would allow for convenient stress watering as necessary.

2.17 The use of fescue will require mowing on a weekly basis, at a height of 2½ to 3½ n/c inches during the spring and summer and 2½ inches in the fall and winter. Mowers no (maintenance policy) larger than a 58-inch deck should be used. All mowers used in the cemetery should be equipped with closed cell foam padding.

2.18 The nylon trimmer line should be no thicker than .065-inch and the supervisor must n/c ensure those using the equipment are properly trained and watched over to prevent (maintenance policy) damage to the stones.

2.19 Only organic, slow release fertilizers should used on the cemetery grounds. n/c (maintenance policy)

2.20 A weed control program using both pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides will $10,000 be necessary, at least initially to establish a good turf in the cemetery. Care must be exercised to minimize use of herbicides on or around the stones.

2.21 The hospital should strictly limit replacement of historic fabric and require that all n/c such modifications receive approval. (administrative policy)

2.22 The approximately 76 missing stones should be replaced using the “XA” style stone $11,400 inscribed, “Unknown U.S. Soldier.” (for compilation of list and setting)

90 RECOMMENDATIONS AND FUNDING

Table 9, cont.

Prioritization of Recommendations

Priority Task Cost Second – over 2.23 Approximately 117 stones require resetting (this can also be accomplished by $16,000 next 2 to 3 years, volunteers) (resetting cost) cont. 2.24 There are about 10 stones that require repair by drilling the stone for insertion of $14,500 stainless steel rods. These repairs should only be conducted by a conservator. (conservation cost)

Third – over next 3.1 The concrete box culvert under Robinson Place should be cleaned and inspected. n/c 3 to 5 years Special attention should be paid to any surface drainage across the cemetery. (existing staff)

3.2 Grates should be installed on the drains for public safety. $1,000

3.3 The modern drains at the south edge of Sections 11 and 13 both require cleaning. n/c (existing staff)

3.5 Items of particular value, such as the metal Confederate markers, should be recast $6,900 and reproductions should be placed in the cemetery.

3.6 The cemetery should receive identification signage. The historic name – St. Elizabeths $1,000 East Campus Cemetery – should be retained. (signage)

3.7 Regulatory signage is critical at the entrance to the cemetery. It should minimally deal $5,000 with proper care of the monuments, prohibiting rubbings and warning visitors of their (signage) fragile condition; it should clearly state the hours the cemetery is open; it should prohibit certain behaviors and actions, such as use of alcoholic beverages; it should establish simple guidelines for plantings, as well as the placement and removal of floral and grave decorations; and it should include contact and emergency information.

3.8 Informational and interpretative signage might overwhelm the otherwise very simple $12,000 cemetery. It may be better to develop a brochure than to install additional signage. (signage)

Additional information could be included concerning the cemetery in the hospital website.

3.9 Cleaning is a low priority, but when undertaken should be conducted in a manner n/c

that does not endanger the stone or eliminate the stone’s patina. (administrative policy)

91 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

92

SOURCES CITED

Adams, Denise W. Garrison, David F. 2004 Restoring American Gardens: An 2003 Redeveloping the St. Elizabeths Encyclopedia of Heirloom Hospital Campus: Opportunity Ornamental Plants, 1640-1940. and Complexity on a Hill. Timber Press, Portland. Brookings Greater Washington Research Program Issue Paper. Anonymous Brookings Institute, 1907 Report of the Special Committee on Washington, D.C. Investigation of the Government Hospital for the Insane with Government Accounting Office Hearings May 4 – December 13, 2001 St. Elizabeths Hospital: Real 1906 and Digest of the Testimony. Property Issues Related to the West 2 vols. House of Campus. Report to Representatives, 59th Congress, Congressional Committees 2nd Session, Report 7644. GAO-01-434. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. Levin, Aaron 2005 Rational Buildings Designed to 1917 The Cemetery Handbook: A “Calm the Disorderly Mind.” Manual of Useful Information on Psychiatric News 40(17):24. Cemetery Development and Management. Park and Cemetery Maggioncalda, Michael, editor Publishing Co., Madison. 2004 Resource Tools, Drawings, and Photographs for St. Elizabeths 1876 The Campaign Textbook: Why the Hospital. Zimmerman People Want A Change. n.p., New Associates, Inc., Fairfax, York. Virginia.

Crandell, John S. McCarl, J.R. 1919 Durable and Artistic Walks and 1927 Investigation of St. Elizabeths Drives. AACS Proceedings of Hospital. Government Printing the 33rd Annual Convention. Office, Washington, D.C.

D’Amore, Arcangelo R.T. McMillen, Frances M. 1976 William Alanson White: The 2008 Ministering to a Mind Diseased: Washington Years 1903-1937. U.S. Landscape, Architecture, and Department of Health, Moral Treatment at St. Elizabeths Education, and Welfare, Hospital, 1852-1905. Washington, D.C. Unpublished M.A. Thesis, University of Virginia School of Architecture, Department of

93 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

Architectural History, 5, 1917-August 30, 1983. Charlottesville. Heritage Books, Westminster, Maryland. McQuillin, Josephine n.d. St. Elizabeths Hospital Trinkley, Michael and Debi Hacker Cemetery. Ms. of article on file, 2007 Preservation Planning for St. GSA, Washington, DC. Elizabeths West Campus Cemetery, St. Elizabeths Hospital, Overholser, Winfred Washington, DC. Research 1956 A Historical Sketch of Saint Contribution 472. Chicora Elizabeths Hospital. In Foundation, Inc., Columbia. Centennial Papers Saint Elizabeths Hospital 1855-1955, pp. 1-24. Weed, Howard E. Waverly Press, Baltimore. 1912 Modern Park Cemeteries. R.J. Haight, Chicago. RTKL 2008 Saint Elizabeths East Yellow Bird, Pemina Redevelopment Framework Plan. 2002 Wild Indians: Native Perspectives RTKL Associates, Inc., on the Hiawatha Asylum for Washington, D.C. Insane Indians. Online. http://www.power2u.org/dow Schneller, Robert J. nloads/NativePerspectivesPemi 2004 “A State of War Is a Most naYellowBird.pdf. Unfavorable Period for Experiments”: John Dahlgren and U.S. Naval Ordnance Innovation During the American Civil War. International Journal of Naval History 3(1).

Secretary of War 1879 Report of the Secretary of War. Vol. 1. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.

Sluby, Paul E., Sr. 2004 Evolution of the Cemeteries for St. Elizabeths Hospital. In Resource Tools, Drawings, and Photographs for St. Elizabeths Hospital, edited by Michael Maggioncalda. Zimmerman Associates, Inc., Fairfax, Virginia.

2008 Burial Ledger of St. Elizabeths Hospital, Washington, D.C., July

94

APPENDIX 1.

MICHAEL TRINKLEY

Chicora Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 8664 • 861 Arbutus Drive Columbia, South Carolina 29202 803/787-6910

Education/Training

1974 B.A., Anthropology, University of South Carolina, Columbia

1976 M.A., Anthropology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

1980 Ph.D., Anthropology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

1997 Non-Destructive Investigative Techniques for Cultural Resource Management, NPS Workshop, Fort Scott National Historic Site, Fort Scott, Kansas (geophysical techniques)

1999 Jahn Installer Workshop, Cathedral Stone Products, Inc., Jessup, Maryland (3 days) (certified installer 9906811-SC)

2001 Preservation & Care of Brownstone Buildings, Technology & Conservation Conference, Boston, Massachusetts

2003 Lime Mortar Workshop, U.S. Heritage, Chicago, Illinois

2004 Preservation Masonry Workshop, School for the Building Arts, Charleston, SC (2 days)

2005 International Lime Conference, Orlando, Florida

2005 Edison Coatings Workshop, Richmond, Virginia (1 day)

2005 Historic Masonry Preservation Workshop, John Lambert, Campbell Center for Historic Preservation Studies, Mt. Carroll, Illinois (1 week)

2005 Preservation Masonry Workshop, College for the Building Arts, Charleston, SC (2 days)

2005 Masonry Analysis & Testing Workshop, Berkowitz and Jablonski, Campbell Center for Historic Preservation Studies, Mt. Carroll, Illinois (1 week)

2005 Jahn 4-Hour Workshop, Cathedral Stone Products, Columbia, SC

95 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

2006 Stone Carving and Restoration Workshop, Traditional Building Skills Institute, Snow College, Ephraim, Utah (3 days)

2007 Integrally Colored Concrete Workshop, Ron Blank & Associates, AIA Continuing Education, Columbia, SC

2008 IACET Aerial Work Platforms Training; Supported Scaffold Safety Training; Cranes, Chains, Slings and Hoist Safety Training, Columbia, SC

2008 Georgia Urban Agriculture Council & UGA Cooperative Extension Outdoor Water Use Registration Program Certificate #P86X9G4467

Memberships

American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works US/ICOMOS – Brick, Masonry & Ceramics Committee Association of Preservation Technology Preservation Trades Network National Trust for Historic Preservation Association of Gravestone Studies

Abstract of Cemetery Conservation/Preservation Experience (not inclusive of legal/archaeological experience):

1992 Reviewer of National Trust for Historic Preservation publication on historic cemeteries publication by Lynette Strangstad.

1998-99 Principal Investigator, Survey and Documentation of African-American cemeteries in Petersburg, Virginia. Including mapping, grave location, and development of historic context. (with Preservation Consultants, Charleston, SC).

1998-99 Conservation activities, Maple Grove Cemetery, Maple Grove United Methodist Church, Waynesville, North Carolina.

1999 Instructor, Cemetery Preservation: Making Good Choices Workshop, Virginia Association of Museums, Petersburg, Virginia.

1999 Instructor, Cemetery Preservation: Making Good Choices Workshop, Georgia Local History Conference, Augusta, Georgia.

2000 Consultation regarding maintenance and clearing of Ricefield's Woodville Cemetery, Georgetown County, South Carolina.

2000 Invited Speaker, Cemetery Conservation Techniques, Historic Cemetery Preservation Workshop, Maryland Historical Trust, Annapolis, Maryland.

2000 Preservation assessment, Summerville Cemetery, Augusta, Georgia.

96 APPENDIX 1.

2001 Assessment and preservation plan for Glenwood Cemetery, Thomaston, Georgia.

2001 Reconnaissance survey of cemeteries in Richland County, South Carolina.

2001 Preservation guidelines for St. Paul’s Cemetery, Augusta, Georgia.

2001 Instructor, Cemetery Preservation: Making Good Choices Workshop, Restoration International Trade Event, New Orleans, La.

2001 Instructor, Cemetery Preservation: Making Good Choices Workshop, National Preservation Institute, Washington, D.C.

2002-2003 Conservation program, Old Waxhaws Presbyterian Cemetery, Lancaster County, South Carolina.

2003 Treatment of markers at the Vardeman Cemetery, Lincoln County, Kentucky.

2003 Consultation concerning cemetery walls and pathways, Maple Grove Cemetery, Waynesville, North Carolina.

2003 Invited Speaker, Preservation of African American Cemeteries Conference, 2003, Helena, Arkansas.

2003 Instructor, Cemetery Preservation: Making Good Choices Workshop, Washington County, Georgia Historical Society, Sandersville, Georgia.

2003 Preservation assessment, Old City Cemetery, Sandersville, Georgia

2003 Instructor, Cemetery Preservation: Making Good Choices Workshop, National Preservation Institute, Washington, D.C.

2003 Treatment of markers at Oakview and Riverside cemeteries; examination of burial vaults in white and African American sections, City of Albany, Georgia (FEMA funded).

2003 Preservation assessment, Historic Cemeteries at Five Cemeteries, Bannack State Park, Bannack, Montana

2003 Instructor, Cemetery Preservation: Making Good Choices Workshop, Bannack State Park, Bannack, Montana

2003 Consultation concerning cemetery brick wall, Midway Church, Midway, Georgia.

2004 Treatment of markers at Richardson Cemetery, Clarendon County, South Carolina.

2004 Instructor, Cemetery Preservation: Making Good Choices Workshop, National Preservation Institute, Washington, D.C.

2004 Treatment of markers at Maple Grove Cemetery, Waynesville, North Carolina.

97 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

2004 Consultation regarding State Historical Marker, Roseville Cemetery, Florence County, South Carolina.

2004 Consultation regarding the Mary Musgrove Monument, Musgrove Mill State Park, Laurens County, South Carolina.

2004 Invited Speaker, Cemetery Preservation Workshop, SC Genealogical Society Annual Meeting, Walterboro, South Carolina.

2004 Treatment of markers at Wrightsboro Cemetery, Thomson, Georgia.

2005 Treatment of markers at Pon Pon Cemetery, Colleton County, South Carolina.

2005 Treatment of markers at Walnut Grove Plantation, Spartanburg County, South Carolina.

2005 Consultant on cemetery fence theft, Save Austin’s Cemeteries, Austin, Texas.

2005 Treatment of markers at Richardson Cemetery (Second Phase), Clarendon County, South Carolina.

2005 Instructor, Cemetery Preservation: Making Good Choices Workshop, National Preservation Institute, Washington, D.C.

2005 Treatment of marker in Oakview Cemetery, Albany, Georgia.

2005 Treatment of markers at Trinity Cathedral, Columbia, SC.

2005 Preliminary preservation recommendations, Randolph Cemetery, Columbia, SC.

2005 Treatment of markers in Presbyterian Cemetery, Union, SC.

2005 Instructor, Cemetery Preservation: Making Good Choices Workshop, Save Oklahoma’s Cemeteries, Muskogee, Oklahoma.

2005 Instructor, Cemetery Preservation: Making Good Choices Workshop, National Preservation Institute, Las Vegas, New Mexico.

2005 Treatment of marker, Reynolds Homestead, Critz, Virginia.

2005 Assessment and preservation plan for Lewis Cemetery, King and Queen County, Virginia. King and Queen County Historical Society.

2006 Treatment of markers in Presbyterian Cemetery, Union, SC (second phase).

2006 Assessment and preservation plan for Pine Lawn Memorial Gardens, Aiken, South Carolina. SC Department of Archives and History, Columbia.

2006 Assessment of Unadilla Cemetery, Unadilla, Georgia.

98 APPENDIX 1.

2006 Invited Speaker, Planning a Cemetery Preservation Project, People and Places: South Carolina’s Seventh Annual Statewide Historic Preservation Conference, SC Department of Archives and History, Columbia, South Carolina.

2006 Assessment and Preservation Plan, Memory Hill Cemetery, Milledgeville, Georgia.

2006 Assessment and Preservation Plan, Springwood Cemetery, City of Greenville & Friends of Springwood Cemetery, Greenville, South Carolina.

2006 Invited Speaker, Cemetery Rehab, South Carolina Landmark Conference, SC Department of Archives and History, Aiken, South Carolina.

2006 Assessment, Town of Dedham, MA cemetery, Vollmer Associates, Boston.

2006 Assessment and Preservation Plan, Naval Medical Cemetery Portsmouth Cemetery, Portsmouth, Virginia.

2006 Instructor, Cemetery Preservation: Making Good Choices Workshop, National Preservation Institute, Washington, D.C.

2006 Invited Speaker, Preservation Needs at Greenville’s Springwood Cemetery, Greenville Chapter of SC Genealogical Society, Greenville, South Carolina.

2006 Preparation of landscape plan, Randolph Cemetery, Columbia, South Carolina.

2006 Treatment of markers in the Cason Plot, Long Creek Baptist Church, Warrenton, Georgia.

2006 Treatment of markers in the Watson Plot, Thomson City Cemetery, Thomson, Georgia.

2006 Treatment of markers at Trinity Cathedral, Columbia, South Carolina (second phase).

2006 Assessment and Preservation Plan, Old Athens Cemetery, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.

2006 Preparation of Treatment Plan, Terrell Tomb, Sparta, Georgia.

2006 Emergency conservation treatment, Settler’s Cemetery, City of Charlotte, North Carolina.

2006-2007 Preservation Assessment and Recordation, St. Elizabeth’s Cemetery, Washington, DC (for General Services Administration).

2006-2007 Preservation Assessment, three Raleigh Cemeteries, Raleigh, North Carolina.

2007 Historic research, Randolph Cemetery, Columbia, South Carolina.

2007 Treatment of Monuments at Laurelwood Cemetery, Rock Hill, South Carolina.

2007 Assessment of markers, Machpelah Cemetery, Lincoln County, North Carolina.

99 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

2007 Assessment of Moss Family Cemetery, Stanly County, North Carolina.

2007 Treatment of Monuments at the Old Athens Cemetery, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.

2007 Treatment of markers at Trinity Cathedral, Columbia, South Carolina (third phase).

2007 Invited Speaker, Annual Conference of the South Carolina African American Heritage Commission, Mars Bluff, South Carolina.

2007 Instructor, Cemetery Preservation: Making Good Choices Workshop, National Preservation Institute, Greensboro, North Carolina.

2007 Treatment of markers at Machpelah Cemetery, Lincoln County, North Carolina.

2007 Assessment of markers, St. Johns Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia.

2007 Preservation Assessment, Village Cemetery, Newberry, South Carolina.

2007 Instructor, Cemetery Preservation: Making Good Choices Workshop, Lincolnton Historical Society, Lincolnton, North Carolina.

2007 Treatment of markers, Settler’s Cemetery, Charlotte, North Carolina.

2007 Assessment of markers, Unitarian Church Cemetery, Charleston, South Carolina.

2007 Preparation of Conservation Scope of Work (cemetery stones), Chalmette National Cemetery, Louisiana (for Lord, Aeck & Sargent, Ann Arbor, Michigan).

2007 Preservation Assessment and Assessment of markers, Mann Family Cemetery, North Attleboro, Massachusetts.

2007 Treatment of the Pringle Vault, City Cemetery, Sandersville, Georgia.

2007 Assessment of the Plunk Family Cemetery, Lincolnton, North Carolina.

2007 Assessment of City Cemetery, South Bend, Indiana.

2007 Assessment of Magnolia Cemetery, Mobile, Alabama.

2007 Treatment of the Middleton family vault, Middleton Plantation, Dorchester County, South Carolina.

2007 Treatment of ledgers in family cemetery, Augusta, Georgia.

2007 Consultant, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Southern Field Office, Tornado damage at Oak View Cemetery, Americus, Georgia.

100 APPENDIX 1.

2007-2008 Treatment of markers at Richardson Cemetery, Clarendon County, South Carolina (third phase).

2008 Assessment of the Coleman-Leigh-Warren Family Cemetery, Augusta, Georgia.

2008 Assessment of three city cemeteries, Thomasville, Georgia.

2008 Assessment of Cottage Cemetery, Augusta, Georgia.

2008 Assessment, South View Cemetery, Atlanta, Georgia.

2008 Treatment of Mitchem Family Cemetery stones, Clarendon County, South Carolina.

2008 Preparation of Conservation Scope of Work (brick, iron, stucco), Chalmette National Cemetery, Louisiana (for Lord, Aeck & Sargent, Ann Arbor, Michigan).

2008 Treatment of stones at Unitarian Church Cemetery, Charleston, South Carolina (first phase).

2008 Treatment of vandalized stones at Trinity Cathedral Church Cemetery, Columbia, South Carolina.

2008 Consultant, Dantzler Plantation, regarding brickwork, stucco, and rising damp, Holly Hill, South Carolina.

2008 Assessment, Christ Church Cemetery, Greenville, South Carolina.

2008 Treatment of stones at Magnolia Cemetery, Mobile, Alabama (first phase).

2008 Instructor, Cemetery Preservation: Making Good Choices Workshop, National Preservation Institute, Jacksonville, Florida.

2008 Treatment of Monuments at the Old Athens Cemetery, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia (second phase).

2008 Treatment of Newman Swamp Methodist Church stones, Florence County, South Carolina.

2008 Treatment of Rehoboth Cemetery stone, Clarendon County, South Carolina.

2008 Penetrometer survey and mapping of Old Brick Church Cemetery, Fairfield County, South Carolina.

2008 Consultant, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Southern Field Office, Tornado damage at Oak View Cemetery, Atlanta, Georgia.

101 PRESERVATION ASSESSMENT OF ST. ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS CEMETERY, WASHINGTON, DC

2008-2009 Assessment and preservation plan for three City of Suwanee cemeteries, Suwanee, Georgia (includes GPR and mapping in association with GEL Geophysics, Charleston, South Carolina).

2008-2009 Assessment and preservation plan for city cemetery, Jonesborough, Tennessee.

2008-2009 Conservation assessment of Orleans City Cemetery, Orleans, Massachusetts.

2009 Treatment of monuments at Settler’s Cemetery, Charlotte, North Carolina.

2009 Treatment of monuments at Magnolia Cemetery, Mobile, Alabama (second phase).

2009 Treatment of monuments at the Old Athens Cemetery, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia (third phase).

2009 Assessment and preservation plan for St. Elizabeths Hospital, East Camus Cemetery, Washington, DC.

National Register Nominations of Cemeteries

1999 Preliminary Multi-Property Nomination, African American Cemeteries of Petersburg, Virginia. Submitted to Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Richmond, Virginia (with Sarah Fick, Preservation Consultants).

2000 National Register Nomination, King Cemetery, Charleston County, South Carolina. Submitted to South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office, SC Department of Archives and History, Columbia.

2002 National Register Nomination, Scanlonville or Remley Point Cemetery, Charleston County, South Carolina. Submitted to South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office, SC Department of Archives and History, Columbia.

2005 Preliminary Information Form – Hopkins Family Cemetery, Richland County, South Carolina. Submitted to South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office, SC Department of Archives and History, Columbia.

2007 Preliminary Information Form – Harts Bluff African American Cemetery, Wadmalaw Island, Charleston County, South Carolina. Submitted to South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office, SC Departmen

102 Cemetery Preservation Plans

Historical Research

Identification of Grave Locations and Mapping

Condition Assessments

Treatment of Stone and Ironwork

Chicora Foundation, Inc. PO Box 8664 ▪ 861 Arbutus Drive Columbia, SC 29202-8664 Tel: 803-787-6910 Fax: 803-787-6910 www.chicora.org